MORE BETTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22393, 14 April 1936, Page 8

MORE BETTING

ELLERSLIE INCREASE TOTALISATOR UP £27,000 1931 LEVEL REGAINED PAST TEN YEARS COMPARED The increased betting figures during the Christmas and New Year holiday period, when more money was spent by the public on racing in the Dominion than on any similar occasion during the past five years, were continued at the Auckland Racing Club's Autumn Meeting, which concluded yesterday. At the close of the programme on Saturday, £48,459 had passed through the totalisator, an increase of £8127 10s, compared with the total handled on the corresponding day last year. Yesterday, the investments' were £53,832, as against £34,474 10s. an increase of £19,357 10s. While rain adversely affected the totalisator turnover on the second day last year, and consequently yesterday's increase must be qualified, racing official are particularly gratified. Larger Attendances

The increased betting at the Autumn Meeting just closed was an accurate reflection of the attendances. Over 17,500 people were on the racecourse on Saturday, and about 19.000 yesterday, making a total of 36.500. The total attendance on the two days last year was 29,000. Yesterday, there were 6500 people on the lawn. 2500 in the Leger enclosure, over 4000 in the Derby enclosure, and over 5500 on "the hill." The totalisator figures for the Easter meeting at Elierslie over the past 10 years reveal an interesting position. Altogether £102,291 passed through the machine this Easter, but this amount is slightly less than the aggregate of £102,317 handled in 1931, when rain affected attendances, and compares less favourably with the figures for 1930 (£153,497), 1929 (£151,511 10s). 1928 (£171,936) and 1927 (£169,875 10s). Only seven races, one event less than usual, were held on the Saturday in 1927. "Depression Years"

In the years 1932 to 1935, the Easter totalisator figures dropped considerably, and this period is regarded in racing circles as "the depression," although the graph rose slightly in 1933, when betting was conducted on the win-and-place system., In 1934, the decrease was accentuated by the fact that in four races there were sufficient runners for only one most unusual position. Rain affected the attendance on the second day in 1932. The totalisator figures for Easter during the past 10 years are as follows: First Second Day Day Total 1927 .. £81,997} £87.878 .£169.8751 1928 .. 86,756} 85.179} 171.936 1929 .. 71,750} 79.761 151,5111 1930 .. 74,732 78.765 153,497 1931 .. 48,800} 53.516} 102,317 . 1932 .. 34.045 30,803} 64,848} 1933 .. 38,887 43.791 82.678 1934 .. 35.582 41,191} 76,773} 1935 .. 40,331} 34.474} 74.506 1936 .. 48,459 53.832 102,231 Increased betting at Easter has been recorded at most racecourses in the Dominion.