Amendment of section
3.
Addition of new sections
11A. 118
and 110.
2
(b) the insertion, after paragraph (e) of the definition of 'common gaming house", of the following new para- graph-
"or
(d) for the purpose of providing facilities for the playing therein of wahjong, tin kau or any game in which mahjong tiles, dominoes or playing cards are used, where--
(0) a fee is charged, for admission; or (i) any fee, commission or percentage is charged in connexion with the game, the stakes or the winnings; or
(ii) mahjong tiles, dominoes or playing cards may be hired for the purpose of play at such place; or
(iv) tables, chairs or other furniture or any other article or implement may be hired for the purpose of play at such place; or
(v) any food, drink or other refreshment is sold at an unreasonably high price;"; and (c) the insertion, after the definition of "keeper", of the
Following new definition-
****licensed place" means any place in respect of which a licence issued under subsection (2) of section A is in force; ".
3. Section 3 of the principal Ordinance is amended by the substitution of a comma for the full stop at the end thereof and by the insertion thereafter of the following-
"or kept or used for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (d) of that definition under any of the conditions enumerated in the said paragraph (d).".
4. The principal Ordinance is amended by the addition, after section 1, of the following new sections--
"Power to
license place for playing of mahjong, etc.
11A. (1) Any place used for the purpose cif providing facilities for playing therein of mahjong, tin kau or any game in which mahjong tiles, dominoes or playing cards are used shall be deemed not to be
Pergun under eighteen
years not permitted in mahjong houses, etc.
B
a common gaming house within the meaning of this Ordinance if a licence issued under subsection (2) authorizing such use is in force.
(2) The Commissioner of Police may issue to any person a licence to use any place specified in such licence for the purpose of providing facilities for playing therein of any game or games mentioned in subsection (1).
(3) Any such licence shall be in the appropriate form set out in the Schedule, and shall be subject to the general conditions contained therein and to such further special conditions endorsed thereon as the Commissioner of Police may think fit.
(4) Any such licence shall be valid for a period
of one year from the date of issue or renewal thereof. (3) A fee of two hundred dollars shall be payable on the issue or renewal of any such licence.
(6) The issue or renewal of any such licence shall be in the absolute discretion of the Commissioner of Police.
(7) The Commissioner of Police may revoke any such licence on proof to his satisfaction of an offence against this Ordinance by the holder thereof or of a breach of any condition of the licence.
118. (1) Any person holding a licence issued under section A who allows any person under the age of eighteen years, other than an employee, to be in the licensed place specified in such licence during the hours when play is, by the terms of such licence. permitted therein shall upon summary conviction be liable to a fine of two thousand dollars.
(2) It shall not be a defence for a holder of any such licence charged with an offence against this section that he did not know of the presence of such person or that such person was under the age of eighteen years of that such person was present with- out his consent, unless he can show, to the satisfaction of the magistrate before whom he is charged, that he took all reasonable steps to ensure that persons under the age of eighteen years were not admitted to such licensed place.