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ITEM VIEW: CG170429
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La Calamine - Moresnet, Belgium
Type: Land Based
Status: Closed
Open: 08.15.1913, Close: 10.01.1913
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| 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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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
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