OFF-COURSE BETTING

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29363, 16 November 1960, Page 4

OFF-COURSE BETTING

West Australian Legislation (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) PERTH, November 15. Vigorous efforts by the Opposition in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council have failed to bring any major amendments in the western Australian State Government’s new betting legislation. Various measures designed to make a change-over from licensed bookmakers’ betting shops to an offcourse totalisator scheme on the lines of New Zealand’s TA.B., have been passed by the assembly, and the Council has completed consideration of the main bill appointing a Totalisator Agency Board. The Council is now in the final stages of discussion of complementary measures. The State Government plans to establish 55 totalisator agencies in the Perth metropolitan area. The scheme will be extended later to country centres, which will have their first agencies about a year after the city branches are opened.

Outlying Districts Outlying inland districts and towns in the far north of the state will not be included because of their isolation. They will continue to operate with bookmakers. The Government has forecast that by the end of the first year, the ’totalisator Agency Board will have a state turnover of at least £6,500,000. , The control board will consist of seven members and will include representatives of the racing and trotting control bodies. Ultimately the system is intended to provide for doubles, quinella, win, place, each-way and all-up* betting, and the Government has claimed that when it is fully functioning it win provide patrons with greater facilities than those in New Zealand. Western Australia is the second state to follow New Zealand’s example in off-course betting. Victoria has already passed legislation setting up a T.A.B.

LORD SASANOF AMISS Galloped On In Caulfield Race (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) MELBOURNE, November 15. The New Zealand horse Lord Sasanof will accept tomorrdw for the £3OOO Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, but it win not be known until Friday whether he will be able to start Lord Sasanof’s near hind leg became infected after he was galloped on in the Heatherton Welter, which he won at Caulfield on Saturday. His trainer. eVic Johnson, hopes Lord Sasanof can start, but the horse has been under veterinary treatment for the last 24 hours. The leg is responding slowly.