Subject to these exceptions, public gaming houses kept for hire for "private gaming" in house or room are not within their intention — prohibited by statute; just as
Mire
f
9 Geo. IV. c. 61. !! Geo. IV. & 1 Will. IV. c. 68. 7 Vict. c. 58. 25 Vict. II. c. 36
tippling and drinking, or dancing, or with performing of stage plays or Musical performances of any kind in houses of public entertainment open for hire, are prohibited.
"Likewise again, gaming houses and the materials of gaming have been made the subject of fiscal legislation, by imposition of license and other Duties, imposed for the purpose of revenue. Previously to the Act of 2 & 3 Phil. & M. c. 9, gaming houses were licensed. The extent to which gaming houses and lotteries have been carried on in England is notorious, and yet the general statutory prohibition of lotteries remained in full force as to all other lotteries, that is to say those which were not licensed by Parliament.
Cards, dice, and other gaming articles occupy a prominent place in the Stamp Acts. Billiard houses, open for hire, became free from prohibition and penalties upon certain conditions in the year 1845-6 (4 & 5 Vict. c. 119). The chief amongst these conditions was that the keepers of the billiard tables should take out annual licenses. These were obtainable from the justices at sessions, upon payment of the stipulated fees. It is insensible, I think, so to distinguish the case of the Hongkong gaming house.