Opinion No. 21-3141
October 11, 1921
TO: Swastika Club, Springer, New Mexico.
Playing of Bridge for Prizes Violation Gambling Act.
OPINION
{*90} Ladies:
In reply to your letter of the 8th instant, asking if playing auction bridge for prizes in cases where each member of the club contributes a prize and each member is entitled to a prize after a series of games, the person holding the highest score having the privilege of first selection, the person having the next highest score the privilege of the second selection, and so on, is in violation of the provisions of Chapter 86, Laws 1921 (the Anti-Gambling Law), I would advise you as follows:
Section 1 of Chapter 86, Laws 1921, makes it unlawful to play any game of chance with cards for money or anything of value, and in the opinion of all of the courts a law of this kind is comprehensive enough to cover such a case as is mentioned in your letter.
In our opinion, playing cards for prizes in the method set out in your letter would be a violation of the provisions of Chapter 86, Laws 1921.