N
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
HE
SAID A NEW PROVISION WAS INTRODUCED TO THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE IN 1977 TO ALLOW MAHJONG PLAYING ON SOCIAL OCCASIONS TN LICENSED RESTAURANTS AND THE PREMISES OF SOCIETIES REGISTERED OR EXEMPTED FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE.
"THE POLICY INTENTION WAS TO ACCOMMODATE MAHJONG PLAYING AS A OF SOCIAL RECREATION IN RESTAURANTS OR THE PREMISES OF SOCIETIES."
FORM
THERE ARE CURRENTLY ABOUT 200 UMAS OPERATING IN THE TERRITORY, INDICATING DEMAND IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE TYPE OF FACILITIES PROVIDED BY SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS.
HAVING CONSIDERED VARIOUS OPTIONS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF UMAS, THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDED THAT SUCH PREMISES BE SUBJECT то STATUTORY CONTROL UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION.
"THE POLICY OBJECTIVE CONTINUES TO BE THAT MAHJONG-PLAYING ON A SOCIAL OCCASION WHICH IS NOT CONDUCTED FOR THE PRIVATE GAIN OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN TO THE EXTENT OF A PERSON'S WINNINGS AS A PLAYER OF THE GAME SHOULD BE ALLOWED.
AND OF
"MAHJONG PLAYING FOR WHICH A FEE IS CHARGED SHOULD BE LIMITED CLEARLY DEFINED. THEREFORE, THE EMPHASIS WILL BE ON THE CONTROL PREMISES IN WHICH MAHJONG PLAYING TAKES PLACE
THE SPOKESMAN
SAID.
14
IT IS PROPOSED THAT PREMISES OTHER THAN LMPS IN WHICH A FEE IS CHARGED FOR MAHJONG PLAYING SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO STATUTORY CONTROL AND RESTRICTED TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
CLUB-HOUSES WITH CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE OR CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION ISSUED UNDER THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES)
ORDINANCE; OR
PREMISES LICENSED AS RESTAURANTS UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED THAT THE OPERATION OF
UMAS SHOULD BE REGULATED IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
* THE
MANAGEMENT OR EMPLOYEES OF CLUBS OR RESTAURANTS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN MAHJONG GAMES PLAYED BY CLIENTS ON THE PREMISES. THIS IS TO PREVENT THE OPERATORS OF UMAS FROM MAKING PROFIT THROUGH TAKING PART IN MAHJONG GAMES PLAYED AT THEIR PREMISES; AND
A NOMINAL FEE MAY BE CHARGED FOR THE PROVISION OF MAHJONG EQUIPMENT BUT IT MUST NOT EXCEED A PRESCRIBED AMOUNT SPECIFIED IN THE GAMBLING REGULATIONS. THE PRESCRIBED FEE WHICH WAS SET IN 1977 SHOULD BE ADJUSTED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE EFFECT OF INFLATION.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSALS CONCERNING LMPS APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
REQUIRES
/"SURJECT TO