ABSTRACT
The difficulty of assessing the levels of gaming activity in Britain during the early 20th century has led to several assumptions being made regarding the activity. One such assumption is, to some extent correct, that West End gaming clubs in London were relatively unmolested by the authorities. Anti-Semitic prejudice may have had a part to play in the perceived long-term targeting of Jewish and Alien gaming activity. As will be illustrated, anti-Semitic prejudice was not solely defined within the police and court’s actions but was clearly prevalent within mainstream society. Chinese involvement in gaming continued to draw the attention of the press throughout the 1920s. Suppression of gaming-house activity appeared to continue for the duration of the war. In September 1918, two months before the end of the conflict, a gaming house in Mile End, London, was raided. According to the Daily Mirror, 8 men, out of a total of 80 associated arrests, were charged with organising the gaming.
