Jackpot Offer Criticised

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32019, 20 June 1969, Page 5

Jackpot Offer Criticised

(N.Z. Press Association) HAMILTON. The proposed scheme of a Hamilton man to buy tickets in the Waikato racing jackpot for people unable to get to the course was criticised yesterday by the managing secretary of the Bay of Plenty Racing Club. The jackpot, which began at >7OO at Tauranga in March now stands at >31.000 and is expected to reach >40,000 at the Bay of Plenty club’s meeting at Tauranga tomorrow. A Hamilton man, Mr H. Brown, advertised his services yesterday and last night had received many inquiries. Mr Brown proposed to attend the Tauranga meeting, buy a jackpot ticket —they are available only to on-course patrons—and return it to the better in Hamilton before the first jackpot race, the third on the card. Jackpot tickets are worth 50 cents. Mr Brown advertised his service at >1.50 which included delivery of the ticket in Hamilton by taxi.

Today the managing secretary of the racing club (Mr I. McEwen) said the prime purpose of the jackpot was to encourage people to attend the meeting. “Four or flve people sharing a car from Hamilton to Tauranga would probably spend less on getting to the meeting than on the cost involved in Mr Brown’s service.’* he said. "And if anybody can’t afford to come, tel-, them they can be our guests by contacting me."