NCJ Number
74709
Date Published
1980
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Following a description of the history of gaming and its regulation in England, this article describes the current regulation of English casinos and relates it to gaming legislation in Nevada.
Abstract
Evidence on English gaming dates to the 11th century; however, this activity became most pronounced in the restoration period, when deep gaming (continuous gambling for high stakes over a long period of time) became popular. Gaming remained popular and widespread until the middle of the nineteenth century among both upper and lower classes despite frequent efforts to curb or eliminate it. While gaming among the lower classes was considered a morality problem, the number of gamine houses was so large that control was ineffective. Because they receive their funds from the wealthy, the gaming control societies were reluctant to attempt to police the gaming clubs of the upper class. The demise of gaming was hastened by legislation passed in 1845 and 1854, and by shifts in interest to other forms of gambling. Gaming continued, however, and a 1949-51 royal commission established a modern system for gaming in England. The system included features of a player protection model. Resulting English gaming control regulations are similar in many ways to controls established in Nevada; however, Nevada's controls lack player control regulations. Gaming in the United States is an outgrowth of policy directed toward revenue raising, while English policy is directed toward the prevention of excess. The English policy emphasis is most compatible with the concept of player protection. Notes are included.