Casino Equipment From Hobby Shop Seized by Police

Gambling equipment from a hobby shop were confiscated by police, leaving its owners, Daniel and Anthony King incensed. The two brothers said that there was no actual gambling taking place.

Anthony King stated that before he started the business, he had consulted first with Queensland Police and Queensland Gaming. Neither of the two entities believed the business to be illegal, however tagged the nature of the business a "gray area".

The hobby shop, King's Fun Casino, operates in Toowoomba and owner Anthony King teaches in a school aside from running the business. He is now in danger of losing the job if he and his brother get convicted. He claims to have no knowledge of the identities of those who attend the parties that their clients throw.

The various casino equipment at the hobby shop are for rent to clients at $500 a night. The blackjack and roulette tables use "funny money" for bets, but no real money is involved. He said that sometimes his clients, for fundraising purposes, charge money for entry to the game, and win raffle tickets that may be exchanged with goodies, like wine, six pack or similar. However, he gives as an example that if the entry fee is $25, the prize never exceeds the said amount.

He uses the said logic to defend that it cannot be seen as a financial gain to the "gamblers" but money is raised for charities.

He said fund raising casino nights were commonplace but others are not specifically targeted because they use toys unlike them, who rent out real casino paraphernalia to clients. Under the law however, it is not illegal to own such materials. In fact, gambling equipment are available at many retail outlets. Queensland Gaming lodged a complaint against the brothers on the grounds that the said casino equipment might be used for illegal gambling.

Anthony King cleared that the police would not be charging them with any offense. But curiously, the police would also not release the equipment, or even give them reason as to why the equipment remains confiscated.

"They have taken $15, 000 worth of equipment, we have legal fees and have lost approximately seven bookings worth around $3000 to our small hobby business, " he said.

Apparently, police are awaiting legal advice concerning the legality of the King brothers possession of the equipment.

"The taking of possession of the equipment has been sanctioned by the court and we're advancing the investigation, " Detective Senior Sergeant Hall said.

He added that from the time that the equipment were confiscated, the police does not have a time limit on when criminal charges should be made and 12 months' limit in non-criminal matters.