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La Calamine - Moresnet, Belgium
Type: Land Based
Status: Closed
Open: 08.15.1913, Close: 10.01.1913

Moresnet is a tiny "country " that resulted from diplomátics errors and the making of the maps which set the boundaries of territories between the Netherlands and Prussia in 1816. Checking the error, both sought to take possession of the territory by the zinc mines that it had . The territory remained undivided - the Germans called it the neutral territory of Altenberg and Belgian neutral territory of Moresnet . The sovereignty of the territory was exercised by the two countries, through two Commissioners . It was integrated in Belgium after the First World War.The Belgium following Germany banned the gambling in the country. Casino d'Oostende and its directors decided to take their industry to Moresnet. They formed an association, Belgian and German majority ,and rented a space (at the Hotel Bergerhoff) for the gambling season of 1913. The new gambling halls were equipped with the unused material Casino d'Ostende. They started work on 15 August. . The Belgian and German governments respond, trying to close the casino. However the gambling prohibition laws in Belgium and Germany, could not be applied to Moresnet as neutral territory.The Prussian Commissioner closed the casino. The Cercle reduced the number of members to 20 to integrate the laws of both countries and reopened the Casino. The Prussian commissioner, without consulting his Belgian colleague, appeared at the casino on October 1 and closed it permanently.( more details in other itens.)
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Casino Collectibles
Other Items (4) [QuickView]
CG170430
Added: 2016-10-01
Last Update: 2016-10-01

Moresnet map
CG170427
Added: 2016-10-01
Last Update: 2016-10-01
Contributed by: Carlos Pascoal

"Moresnet (neutral territory)   The casino opened on 15 August in Moresnet, under the name Cercle Privé des Etrangers of Calamine was closed. The gambling worked up from the 2 pm until midnight, with a stop from 6pm to 8pm. The hotel rooms that were rented before by 4 or 5 francs a week, now cost 80 to 100 francs. Until the last week 600 members were admitted. Were played  roulette and baccarat and would settle the trente et quarante ... .Moresnet has 3433 inhabitants ... The Cercle de Jeux de Moresnet closed ... at the initiative of the governments of Prussia and Belgium ... the number of players was currently around 180,  most Belgian, Russian and Italian. " From "La Revue Diplomatique, 09.06.1903". Source www.gallica.bnf.fr
CG170428
Added: 2016-10-01
Last Update: 2016-10-01
Contributed by: Carlos Pascoal

The Cercle reduced the number of members to 20 to integrate the laws of both countries and reopened the Casino. The Prussian commissioner, without consulting his Belgian colleague, appeared at the casino on October 1 and closed it permanently from "Journal des débats politiques et litteraire, 10.04.1903" Source www.gallica.bnf.fr
CG170429
Added: 2016-10-01
Last Update: 2021-07-24
Contributed by: Carlos Pascoal

"The mining district of Moresnet  (350 ha) is a dispute between Prussia and Belgium. It does not belong to either of them. The Belgium following Germany banned the gambling in the country. Casino d'Ostende and its directors decided to take their industry to Moresnet. They formed an association,  Belgian and German majority ,and rented a space (at the Hotel Bergerhoff) for the gambling season of 1913. The new gambling halls were equipped with the unused material Casino d'Ostende. They started work on 15 August. Apparently the casino was not open to the public - attached to the Cercle Privé des Etrangers of Calamine, only members paying quotas could have access. However  one week after the opening, the Cercle had more than 600 members. The roulette and the trente et quarante had done their victims.The Belgian and German governments respond, trying to close the casino. However the gambling prohibition laws in Belgium and Germany, could not be applied to Moresnet as neutral territory. The Belgian had doubts, but the Prussian Commissioner issued a decree towards the casino closure and closed it. The Cercle administrators protested and presented the case in court. The Belgian government accepted the decision of Prussia. from "Revue Génerale de droit Internacional, 09.06.1903" Source www.gallica.bnf.fr
Total Items (4)

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