PROVISIONS OF BILL

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25932, 12 October 1949, Page 4

PROVISIONS OF BILL

Minister To Set Date For Scheme PICNIC MEETING SWEEPSTAKES (New Zealand Press Association.) WELLINGTON. October 11. The Gaming Amendment Bill introduced in the House of Representatives authorises the Totalisator Agencv Board, to be appointed by the Racing and Trotting Conference's, to borrow moneys. To enable it to carry out its Itinctions, advances may be made to it by the Minister of Finance, subject to such security as he thinks fit. There ate machinery clauses providing for the appointment of officers by the board and the making of contracts by the board. A clause dealing with the making ot rules for the operation of off-course betting or for the functions of the board states that, subject to the approval of the Governor-General, the board may make regulations controlling the admission of perstffis to anv totalisator agency. The board is also empowered to prohibit admission to a totalisator agency, just as racing clubs are empowered to refuse admission to a racecourse. A clause says it shall be lawful for totalisator investments on horse races to be lodged and received at totalisator agencies situated elsewhere than at the racecourses and established in accordance with an approved scheme. Provision is made for the payment of dividends at agencies. Preparation of Scheme Not later than a day to be fixed by the Minister, the Racing and Trotting Conferences, acting together, are to submit to the Minister a scheme for the establishment and .operation by the board of totalisator agencies. ' The scheme shall define the functions and powers of the board. It may provide for the number and terms of office of members of the board, the provision of funds required for administration, and the operation of the scheme and the receiving at agencies of investments and the manner in which such investments shall be made. It may also provide for Hie transmission of particulars of such investments to racing clubs at racecourses for registration on totalisators, Ihe payment of dividends calculated in accordance with the principal act. and the method of accounting as between the clubs and totalisator agencies. The scheme may provide for the establishment of agencies in different places. Provision is made for variation of the scheme or submission of part of the scheme, but no scheme or part thereof or any variation of it shall come into force until approved by the Minister. Advertisements are authorised giving a list of agencies, their hours of business, and telephone numbers. The conditions uoon which investments may be received may also bo advertised. Provision is made for the extension of totalisator inspection to totalisator agencies. Dividends and Tips Existing provisions prohibiting the publication of dividends are repealed by the bill. The prohibition on tipping shall not apply to the publication in a newspaper of any information or advice as to the probable result of any horse race or be construed to prevent the sale in New Zealand of any newspaper printed or published out of New Zealand. Every person commits an offence and is Hable to a fine not exceeding £5O who. in consideration or expectation of any payment or otherwise of gain, gives or offers to give any oral information or advice relating to the probable result of any horse race, whether in or out of New Zealand. This shall not be construed to prevent the transmission of any information or advice from a broadcasting station. It is also made an offence to hold any other person out as willing to give any information or advice as to the probable result of a horse race, whether in or out of New Zealand, or to make any bet or wager on the result of any such horse race. Gaming Search Warrants The procedure for obtaining a search warrant in respect of premises suspected to be a ommon gaming house has been amended slightly. The existing law authorises a Justice of the Peace to grant a warrant “upon a complaint made before him on* oath” and “if such premises are commonly reported and believed” to be used as a common gaming house. The bill provides that a Justice requires merely to be “satisfied on oath” and the complainant need only believe that the premises are used as a common gaming house. The form of warrant is amended accordingly. Betting on sports grounds is made an offence punishable for the first offence by a fine up to £2O. For subsequent offences provision is made for a fine not exceeding £5O or imprisonment up to one month. The term “sports” is widened to include dog races and wrestling matches. A clause removing the £5 limit on sweepstakes at non-totalisator meetings provides that a racing club may deduct up to 10 per cent, from such sweepstakes by way of commission. The preparation or possession of betting or lottery documents is made an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding £5O. Provision is made for regulations to give effect to the off-course betting scheme.