LEGAL OFF COURSE BETTING

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25736, 23 February 1949, Page 6

LEGAL OFF COURSE BETTING

SUPPORT BY TROTTING INTERESTS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, February 22. “The sport of racing and all those who make an honest livelihood from it will benefit substantially from the introduction of a system of legalised off-course betting, such as that favoured by the Royal Commission on Gaming,” said Mr T. G. Fox. president of the New Zealand Trotting Owners’, Trainers’, and Breeders’ Association. in a statement to-day. He said his association was naturally interested in anything that would improve racing, and unhesitatingly supported the commission’s recommendation.

“Evidence was given before the commission to the effect that more than £40.000.000 was invested by followers of racing in a year, and that less than half of this amount went through the only legal channel available, the totalisator.” said Mr Fox. “The balance was placed with illegal bookmakers, who dodee taxation, and who make no contribution to the sport. “If the conference scheme were in operation, taxation would be levied on all off-course betting turnover, with consequent advantage to the State and those a««ociated with racing.

“Another point I think should be emphasised is that the betting public in all cases would, under a legalised system, get full totalizator odds. At present, they are obliged to accept anv old odds the bookmakers like to pay.”