OFF-COURSE BETTING

Evening Star, Issue 26091, 3 May 1947, Page 9

OFF-COURSE BETTING

CONTROL BY AUTHORITIES URGED TRGTTING’S STAND AGAINST BOOKMAKERS ! (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 2. . Opposition to the licensing of bookmakers was expressed by witnesses called by Mr C. S. Thomas when the case of the New Zealand trotting conference was continued before the Gaming Commission to-day. “ It lias to be recognised that the public will bet off the course, and that if legalised facilities are not available, they will bet illegally with bookmakers. This is a very bad state of affairs, especially as it brings the law of the land into disrepute.” These remarks were made by Mr R. M.'Macfurlane, M.P., when referring to the suggestion that the trotting and racing authorities should have control of an “ off-the-course ” betting system. Mr Maefarlane said that if facilities wero granted to the authorities, it would not lead to the elimination of bookmakers, but they would be reduced to a minimum, and that would be- all for the good of the sport. While he realised that any scheme put forward by the authorities would not be able to give as full a service as that provided by bookmakers, he did not think that they should be allowed to stand in the way of any reasonably efficient scheme. UNHEALTHY FACTOR. “ If, however, the facilities are not recommended, I take the view * that as a last resort, and as a last resort only, it would be better to legalise the bookmakers for ‘ off-the-course ’ betting rather than to let matters stand as they are,” he continued. “ I take this view with a great deal of reluctance, because I think that directly the element of personal gain enters, there must be a tendency towards interference with the result of races.” The publication of dividends and the introduction of a doubles totalisator were also advocated by Mr Macfarlane, who said both things would assist to “ knock ” the bookmakers. Mr W E. Leicester, for the Dominion Sportsmen’s Association, asked witness about tlie working of the 40hour week and the effect of any “ off- ! the-course ” betting scheme on the 1 hours of work of, Post and Telegraph - Department employees. Witness said that, if the scheme was introduced, employees would have to abide by the law of the land, and he had no doubt that they would do so. Asked about the attitude to persons who could not take advantage of any .approved scheme for “ off-the-course ” betting, Mr Maefarlane said that if only a small percentage of persons was not covered by the scheme he did not think he could consider a small number. PUBLICATION OF DIVIDENDS.

The Chairman, Mr Justice Finlay: Do you thing dividends should be published? Would their publication have the effect of encouraging betting? ' Witness: The average dividend paid throughout New Zealand is not large, and would not tend to increase the number of bettors or attract young people. If the dividends were announced over the air it might give better information of a bettor’s position, . said His. Honour. A person might then be encouraged to bet to cover his losses or he might invest his winnings. Mr MacFarlane said he had not considered the broadcasting of prices, but he. thought it might be wise not to announce prices on the air. He referred more particularly to the publication of prices in the newspapers. “ Generally speaking, the registered bookmaker is a. decent man, but where bookmakers operate there is always a class of parasites' unknown to New Zealand sports,” said Mr.Gporge Bennett Noble, referring, to bookmakers in Australia. He said that five years ago he came from Australia as a private trainer and stud master to Mr J. R. McKenzie. In New South Wales and Victoria he had had experience of betting systems where the totalisator and bookmakers —registered and unregistered—operated., “ Professional urgers, crushers and manipulators of odds.” were 1 described as a. class which made its living on Australian racecourses, lowering the statps of the sport and introducing sharp practices. The absence of such practices in New Zealand was pleasing to visitors with a knowledge of racing overseas..