RACE BETTING IN N.S.W.

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27094, 18 July 1953, Page 2

RACE BETTING IN N.S.W.

PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH BOOKMAKERS

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY. July 17. The Chief Secretary ’ (Mr C. A. Kelly) is examining proposals that a State Racing Control Board be established and that the totalisator be the only form of betting in New South Wales. This would mean the abolition of the bookmakers.

Mr Kelly said: “I have received complaints that the Australian Jockey Club has dictatorial powers, and that this should be remedied. The question of making totalisators the only form of betting in this State has also been raised.

“I am considering proposals, and will examine the New Zealand and Tasmanian racing legislation. Tills may require a personal inspection of the operation of this legislation. In New Zealand there are no bookmakers, and in Tasmania racing is controlled by a board. I will make submissions to Cabinet later.” Mr Kelly added that he was not considering the question of licensing starting price bookmakers. The chairman of the Associated Council of Bookmakers (Mr H. H. Hardcombe) said the proposal to ban bookmakers was a threat to the racing industry and the whole community. Australians had grown up with the bookmaking tradition, he said. They liked the contest between punter and bookmaker.

The bookmakers added glamour and a carnival atmosphere to the racecourse, and it was hard to imagine people giving their patronage to a “lifeless tote.”