§ Mr. Oglebrought in a bill for the suppression of gaming, and for the regulating houses kept for the purposes of play. The bill was read a first time. It proposed, that gaming should not hereafter be allowed in any house or room, without a license; that any master of a gaming house lending money for the purpose of play, should be subject to a certain penalty; and that no keeper of a tavern or hotel, should allow play in any of his rooms, without a license.
§ Mr. Lytteltonstrongly protested against the provision in this bill with respect to licenses, declaring that he would oppose the bill altogether, unless this provision were neutralized; for as it now stood, it 331 proposed, upon the same principle that the lottery was supported by the chancellor of the exchequer, that gaming should be tolerated for the sake of revenue. He would never acquiesce in such a proposition, as that, for a little filthy profit, this country should descend to imitate the scandalous practice of some continental nations, by whom gaming-houses were openly licensed.—On the motion for the seconding reading, Mr. Lyttelton expressed a disposition, to divide the House. Upon which,
§ Sir M. W. Ridleysaid, he hoped his hon. friend would not press his opposition in that stage, but give time for fuller consideration. He disliked the spirit of over legislation in matters that did not necessarily require the interposition of parliament.
§ The bill was ordered to be read a second time on the 19th, and to be printed.