BETTING AT RACES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21470, 19 April 1933, Page 13

BETTING AT RACES

INCREASES IN PROVINCE r i WIN AND PLACE SYSTEM PREVIOUS DEFICITS OFFSET That the lure of four dividends where °n y tuo ;\ere paid beforo has expanded tho volume of betting on tho racecourses is revealed by an examination of tho totalisator returns of racing and trotting meetings held in the Auckland 1 rovinco from tho beginning of the season on August Since February tho win and place sjsteiu of betting on tho totalisator has displaced the long-established method of paying only on the first and second horses and, without exception, it has resulted in a larger turnover on the machine. Lp to the time of the change the racing clubs' figures had fallen by £34,857 ss. Not only have subsequent increases extinguished this decline, but, up to tho close of tho Easter meeting at Ellerslio on Monday, there has been a net gain on the previous season's figures of £32,121 10s. A similar position exists in regard to trotting, a net decrease of £12,953 15s under the old system being moro than offset by an increaso of £14,998 10s under win and place betting. Circulation of Money While the increaso in the totalisator turnover is duo, without doubt, to tho introduction of win and place betting, there is room for considerable difference of opinion as to what proportion of the increase is represented by "new" money on the racecourses. *That tho system has attracted bets which previously were placed elsewhere is certain, but those who follow racing finance aver that the greater part of the increase is duo to the wider circulation of tho money after each race. Thus tho modest bettor on the turf who lias a reasonable share of good fortune may collect one of four dividends and place either his winnings or return his original betting capital to the totalisator on the next race. Under the two dividend system many small bettors wero eliminated when their fancies failed to gain either first or second place in the early stages of the meeting. For the elulbs, whether the money is ,new or old, the change has helped materially in removing the cause for anxiety which had worried the executive officers. With continually decreasing turnovers, their share of the totalisator profits was falling and jeopardising their finances. For tho time being, at least, they may look at figures which are on the right side of the ledger. Details of Returns Tho tables below show tho totalisator figures for each of the racing and trotting meetings held in tho Auckland province from the beginning of tho season to date. The increase or decrease on the total of the corresponding meetings of the previous season is indicated, as well as progressive totals to mark the change which took place when the new system was introduced. RACING Turnover Increase Decrease Meeting £ ■ £ £ Pakuranga Hunt . 20,337 ' 2.033 Avondalo Spring . 45,875} 11,090} Waikato Hunt .. 12,314} A.T'.C. Spring . . 46,848} Whangnrei Spring 12.020} l.Saifl Waikato Spring . 28,875 2,733} Takapuna Spring 36,076} Dargaville . . 0,917 Tnumarunui . . 3,792 Waipa .. 10,027 A,R.C. Summer .. 181,199 Waipa pakauri . < 977 Thames . . . . 13,557 - 2,791 Bay of Islands . . 2,872 51i Takapuna Summer 43,229} 2 1 i Opotiki .. .. 1,027 Totals . . . £467.481 £14,4801 £19,337} Xet decrease under two dividend system £34,857} Matamata . . 11.000 353} Rotorua . . 22,342} 4.G21 Te Aroha 42,084 P. 303 Franklin . . 20.012} 4.941} Waikato Summer 32,852} 18,548} Ohinemuri . . 38,707 7,109} Bay of Plenty . . 12,221} 5,179} Whangnrei Autumn 14,379 A.R.C. Autumn . . £2,678 17.829} Totals . ■ £277,1 <7 £66,919 Total for all meetings . . . . Net increase all meetings .. .. TROTTING Turoover Increase Decrease Meeting *•'' 'f-,, Auckland, Aug. .. 21,104 Waikato. (Mt. .. 9.752} 432 - Auckland, Oct. . . 37.833} Waikato, Dec. .. 8.951} Auckland, Dec. . . 78.720 Totals £150,430} £132 £13,385} Xet decrease under two dividend system £l-,Jo<i 4 Auckland, Feb. . . 36.9333 7,003} Thames . . . . 18,857} 0,017} Te Aroha .. .. 10.810 1,917} Totals .. .. £66,681} £14,998} Total for all meetings .. ..£223.111} Net increase all meetings . . . . £2,045 3 In studying the tables it should be noted' that tlie increases at tho Avondale and Waikato Spring Meetings were due largely to the fact that at the corresponding meetings of the previous season the weather was very wet, thus reducing the attendance and tho totalisator returns. The Waipapakauri Club did not hold its usual meeting last season and the Whangarei Club did not have an autumn meeting, thus no comparison can bo made.