BOOKMAKERS AND BETTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 18

BOOKMAKERS AND BETTING.

Several days ago the "Star" published an account W an interview by the Sydney "Sun" with T. Curran, who has recently served a sentence in the Auckland gaol for illegal bookmaking., If hie statements are correct then he mutt have prior knowledge of the intention* of the Government of which no indication has been given to the people. As one of the people I desire to voice an emphatic protest against the licensing of bookmakers and would like to know for what reason the legalising of them is proposed. Personally lam opposed to all bookmakers, legal or illegal, as they serve no useful purpose to the community. I am of the <fpinion that the totalisators should be the only avenue for people io bet, and that if all bets were diverted there it would be to the ultimate benefit of the sport, racing clube, the State and- the public. Bookmaking must be a payable proposition, otherwise the bookies would go out of business, and the dividends paid out on the racecourses are minus the tax. That being so, then the bookies get a "cut" two ways: (1) By imposing the poor limits vhich they will pay out, and' (2) by not paying any taxation on the bets they fake. It is time that betting facilities were socialised; and the profits, should go to the State. The public desire the right to bet when they feel inclined to do so, and as no lawful avenue* are provided they patronise illegal bookmakers. There U only one way to overcome this social problem and that is to adapt the totaUsators to the public requirements. All that is required Is' a sound scheme giving every person who so desires the right to bet on the machine at any time. When this takee place, and not* before, can we say good riddance to the bookie*., who; I am convinced, serve m> nVefnl purtxwc, bet are a menace jnvjnsr credit, wbicJ* encouraw people bet when they T»averi*t the money to pay. The telet*ere| play* * V-" narj ft* dl Wl betting ~., *--for thf ext«-t nf.'s *~n>~***tv°m< U rowl iVioU. ii would