GAMING LAW ANOMALIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20306, 13 July 1929, Page 11

GAMING LAW ANOMALIES.

ARGUMENTS FOR REMOVAL.

AMENDMENT OF ACT URGED.

[BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT. J WELLINGTON, Friday.

Arguments in favour of amendments of the Gaming Act to allow publication of dividends and telegraphing of investments to racecourses are quoted by Sir George Clifford; president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, in his report, which was read at the annual meeting to-day. Quoting from previous reports the president made the following points: "\Ve look for the removal of the wholly absurd prohibition of the publication of d.vidends, which serves no good purpose and assists the law-breaking bookmaker. Why shouid the public and the newspapers be shut o5 from news which lawbreakers circulate freely among themselves and to their confederates? We desire permission to remit investments on the totalisator to clubs on race days.

"It should not be forgotten that th® totalisator cannot tempt by .giving credit, cannot lay contracted odds, and cannot refuse commissions, but gives equal fair play to, all. The law at present debat-3 the bookmaker from following his trade; it is illogical to leave open to him • tho practical monopoly of it beyond the precincts of the racecourse.

"With provision for telegraphing investments on the totalisator to secretaries of racing clubs, the investor would escape from the limited prices and barred horses of the bookmakers, who contribute no rovenue to the State or to racing. Restrictions which foster illegal betting and create disrespect for the law and its administration are highly undesirable and should be repealed."