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Evening Post, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 7

DOUBLES MACHINES

POPULAR IN AUSTRALIA

The publication of big dividends r» turned on the doubles totalisator. in Soutfc Australia and Western Australia has recently stirred interest in this .popular, mode, of betting. in other States in the Commonwealth, and there is.already some agitation for the installation of doubles machines in Victoria; •;/>•:

The doubles totalisator did much to assist racing in South Australia during the' depression period, \ It < was first, instituted at Onkaparinga on April 1, 1931, and the average annual amount invested on doubles at metropolitan meetings in the State is about £100,000. ; Last year (the third year of operation) the. figure was £103,990, and for nine. month's of the fourth year of operation the doubles investments have been £81,349, a sura that is certain to be increased before Easter to an excess over last year's total..

In all up till last month a sum.' of £368,883 had been handled by; the. metropolitan clubs on doubles since Easter, 1931. When it is computed that the clubs' receive 7% per . cent,: their proportion ■works out at approximately £27,660, and the Government's : (5%- per cent.) at £19,366. Of course, if country fixtures were taken into consideration the sums would' be considerably increased.

The doisbles.totalisator is also in opera* tion on metropolitan courses in Western Australia. At the WjSI.T.C. meetings "the field" is paid when nobody, picks the two winners, but at the other' courses there are nine' different ways of securing a dividend. In the event of the winning double (first horse -in each race) '• being unbacked, the tote will pay in the follow* ing order trntil the double is. picked:—! Krst horse with second or third horse;' second horse with' first, escondT'or "third horse; and third horse with first, second, or third horse. If not picked as set out above a refund; of 4s on each S« ticket will be made. : A refund was actually made in the lepcer •' at Belmont Park on December 8, when Enaed and Battery Gold were'successful. ■'•'■••; -