Opinion

Ellis v. Beale

  • 18 Me. 337
Court
Supreme Judicial Court of Maine
Filed
Jun 15, 1841
Status
Published
Author
Weston
On the bench
Weston
Cited by
8 cases
Authority
More cited than 92.3%

The opinion

The opinion of the Court was by

Weston C. J.

The question, upon which this cause must necessarily turn is, whether horse racing is a game, within the stat. *339 of 1821, c. 18. If it is, there can be no just distinction taken, between the trotting and racing of horses. And we are of opinion, that horse racing is a game; and so within the statute. Cards and dice are expressly named, “ Any other game,” embraces a great variety of other devices of chance or skill, by which money may be lost or won. Cock fighting, horse racing and foot racing are called games, by the statute, 16 Charles 2d, c. 7.

Under the stat. of 9 Anne, c. 14, although horse racing is not mentioned, it has been held to be embraced in the act, under the general words, other game or games. Bluxton v. Pye, 2 Wilson, 309 . So a foot race has been adjudged to be a game within the same statute. Brown v. Berkeley, Cowper, 281. In Segel v. Jebb, 3 Stark. R. 1, Abbott C. J. was of opinion, that the statute applied to all games, whether of skill or chance, and that it was the playing for money, which made them unlawful. The statute with respect to the party losing, is remedial not penal. Bines v. Booth, 2 Wm. Bl. 1226. Horse racing is within all the mischiefs, which render gaming unlawful.

Exceptions sustained.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

A word about cookies

We need a few to keep you signed in and the library working. The rest help us see which pages people use and where they get stuck. They stay off unless you say yes.