“Teeny-Bopper” Gambling Craze

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31936, 13 March 1969, Page 10

“Teeny-Bopper” Gambling Craze

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON

“Teeny-bopper” gambl- | ing is spreading through Britain, and giving concern J to the authorities. Tax-burdened Britons are betters on a massive scale, and have horse and dogracing and soccer to gamble on, apart from more-out-of-the-way events such as political by-elections. The law has so far barred persons under 18 from joining in the national hunt for the quick profit. But the opportunity is open to children in rapidly - spreading amusement arcades or “leisure centre” empires of slot and amusement machines, offering top prizes of 2s a time, for a 6d investment

The arcades spill out into the streets, their plush wall-to-wall carpets paced by smartly - uniformed attendants, and thronged by adults and children. The lanes of machines often have a veneer of sophistication. Patrons sink submarines, win football matches, shoot down aeroplanes, and race cars at breakneck speed under chandeliers and all for a few pence.

In the City of Westminster, covering London’s Soho area and the West End, the number of arcades has trebled in the last 18 months to 24. In the provinces, Manchester has had 30 applications to set up arcades in the last year. Newcastle has had 40 applications for new arcades.

All the cities are discussing the matter. At Doncaster, Yorkshire, a schoolmaster and town councillor, Mr R. Bowes, gained publicity when he reported a

family husband and wife and two daughters who spent all their time gambing lat a “leisure centre." During the week, when the mother was at work, the father took his daughters with him to gamble. “They are often at the leisure centre up until 11 p.m.,” he said.

“The Times" in a leading article said: “There are several complaints that can be made against the arcades. It is clear that many of the players attracted by the amusement machines are young people, and that the arcades can serve as an introduction to bigger gambling.” The situation should be kept under national and local review, “The Times" said.