DANGERS OF BRIBERY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 247, 17 September 1932, Page 7

DANGERS OF BRIBERY.

ABUSES OF BIG SWEEPSTAKES

LONDON, Sept. 15. The dangers of bribery and other abuses inherent in big sweepstakes were reviewed by Lord Harewood before the Royal Commission on Lotteries and Betting. Lord Harewood agreed that sporting interests would be less endangered if sweepstakes were legalised and placed under Government control. He knew an instance of a horse running solely for a sweepstake profit, and an instance of bribery negotiations. Small club sweepstakes were innocuous. Big sweepstakes enabled tho drawers of eligible horses to pay owners amounts exceeding forfeits in order to persuade them to run horses and allow the drawers to win prizes, thus swelling fields and interfering with the chances of better animals.

Negotiations with the promoters of tho Calcutta sweep resulted in the abolition of runners’ prizes. A ticketholder with £30,000 to play with could heavily bribe stable, boys, trainers and jockeys to secure tho defeat of other horses, said Lord Harewood. Tho totalisator, which was good for tho turf, should bo more strongly controlled, or its control handed over to a responsible body.

Lord Harewood perhaps better known as Viscount Lascelles, is a member of tho Jockey Club. He is the husband of H.R.H. Princess Mary.