THE NEW GAMING ACT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 54, 27 November 1907, Page 7

THE NEW GAMING ACT.

(BY TELEGRAM—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, November 26. The leading bookmakers in this city havo givon notice to their clients 'that owing to the new Gaming Act coming into force immodiatuly, "which limits betting exclusively to tho racccourso," and being desirous: of conforming strictly to tho law, tlioy havo unanimously decided to close all ante-post books in connection with doubles and straight-out business on forthcoming events.

Criristchurch, November 26. Mr. C. M. Gray, M.ET.R., has received a telegram from the Premier stating that tho question of tho roloaso of the bookmakers ot present serving two months' imprisonment at Lyttclton for betting at tho Riccarton Racecourse during tho C.J.C. Metropolitan Mee fing will bo considered at tho first meeting of the Cabinet.

Tho bookmakers' shops in Christchurch have been closed in consequence of the passing of tho now Gaming Act, and it is understood that a movement is now on foot for tho formation of a Now Zealand Bookmakers , Association, with tho object of advising rncing clubs on tho issuo of licenses, unci of oxorci3ing a genoral supervision over tho bookmakers. (BY, TELEGRAM—SPECIAL COUIIESFONDENT.) FeUding,' November 26. No applications havo yet been received by tho secretary of the Foilding Jockey Club for licenses for bookmakers to lay odds' nt the corning races. The Club's committeo has not yet decided what its action in rofcronco to the issuing of licenses will bo ; but, tho matter will bo discnssed at a meeting of tho committee somo time- this week. Feeling in tho club is strongly against tho licensing of bookmakers for tho Foilding races, niid if tho committee can see its way to keep tho loud-voiced "bookie" off tbo course it will bo done. Tho Foilding Racing Club was the first in New Zealand to prohibit bookmakers, and it is just as desirous as ovor of keeping them from its race meetings.