MODERN BETTING MACHINES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25178, 8 May 1947, Page 8

MODERN BETTING MACHINES

FASTER PROCEDURE ON RACECOURSES bEMONSTRATIQN HELD AT RICCARTON Electrically-operated ticket-issuing machines and electronic totalisator equipment, which, if it were put into use in New Zealand, would greatly speed up the betting procedure on racecourses, were' demonstrated yesterday afternoon to trainers and representatives of racing and trotting ’clubs at the Riccarton racecourse. The equipment could also be used m what is claimed to be a fool-proof offcourse betting system by the installation of sub-stations in various parts of the country. The complete working of a theoretical system was demonstrated yesterday by Mr F Spencer Grtfce, the managing-director of the Australian company which is manufacturing the equipment. « It has also been shown recently in Australia in the main centres, but this was the only demonstration to be made in New Zealand, apart from the exhibition of ticket-issuing machines to racing clubs in the North Island. It is understood that the Canterbury Jockey Club has arranged to purchase a number of the ticket-issuing machines. *

The ticket-issuing machines that were demonstrated yesterday weighed about 801 b and were housed in neat steel cabinets. By. the operation of a simple lever set against a circle of figures? the operator could reduce his bodily movements to the minimum. On various machines tickets could be issued in any quantity for a win, place, or a double. A variable code word and the alteration of designs on the tickets prevented the possibility of forgery. An adding unit which was automatically linked to the ticket machines had a capacity for 320 separate selling windows. A fraction of a second after a ticket was issued the bet was recorded on the adding machine, and it was explained that it had the capacity for recording transactions at the rate of 1000 a second.

Odds Recording Machine An interesting link in the chain of apparatus that was displayed was the odds recording machine, which, counted groups of tens. ILinked to it were indicators that showed the odds as the volume of ‘betting fluctuated. One type used a series of neon tubes which glowed along a barometer-like column as the odds were computed by the machine—the other used a series of visual numbers which were flashed on a screen. On a racecourse every horse would require an indicator, and these could be installed according to the space available. Perhaps the most impressive device shown was the link between the totalisator and the theoretical outside betting centres. Using radio communication channels, it had the ability to transfer writings or drawings made by an operator at one station to any other with which he might be linked. When it was demonstrated from a station set up on one of the lawns the audience was interested to see a series of phrases appear on the screen attached, followed by the drawing of a horse. It was explained that this invention had many potential uses which .were being exploited in Australia. It could transfer designs and drawings from one part of a large industrial plant to another, and perhaps it could be used in school teaching, with one teacher instructing both orally and visually the pupils of a whole countryside. Another use of practical importance was for visual communication between the judges and the stewards on a racecourse. As the horses passed the barrier the judges’, handwriting and signatures would instantly appear on the screen wherever it was required. Mr Grace explained that in an outside betting centre such a device could be used to transmit bets instantaneously to the racecourse where, with the machinery demoftstrated, they would automatically be indicated along with Jhe other transactions on the odds indicator. During the morning the equipment was demonstrated to the Royah Commission on Gaming and Racing, and in the afternoon Mr Grace gave evidence before the commission and said that he would present a written statement.