BETTING FEES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 54

BETTING FEES.

The compulsory licensing of bookmakers is a very important matter to which the racing clubs are, apparently,. gradually becoming reconciled. It maj be purely a matter of making a virtue of necessity, and that the clubs are not inclined to display lavieh hospitality on the parliamentary enforced "paying guests," to whom they will in future be "at home," is evidenced by the fact that the boste-to-be have been displaying ■« marked desire to charge full board and lodging for both the guests and their servants. That is to say, the bookmakers' clerks were, if possible, to be charged the*same fee as their principals. This would discover a fine state of affairs, (as many bookmakers could not do Jie i clerical work required for straight-out ; betting —particularly if there was any presI sure of business on hand. - The olerk may supply a good deal of brain work, bat in the majority of cases he is only paid at per day, with a possible bonus when a meeting proves a financial success. If ihe. clubs insisted on a large fee for bookmakers' i clerks it would mefrely bring about the ' abandonment of the betting bag and re- , version to the old-time 'small baiting book, with its obnoxious credit system. There is no doubt that the racing clubs have* solid and strong reasons for charging & heavy fee, but it is doubtful if the fielders would be able to pay them unless the longsuffiering punters were made to pay for the I mueio made by the ring. For instance, Riccarton has 11 -days' racing, and this would mean that a fielder pould have to pay £220 for the year's betting license, besides the incidental expenses. A fee of 75 guineas is charged for Flemington, an<t there is no totalisator opposition to coni tend against. The Auckland Racing Club | has 13 days' racing, which means £260 for I betting fees, and there are 266 days' (exeluI sive of hack and trotting meetings—except the N.Z.M.T.C. meetings, the Tahuna Park meetings, and the Auckland T.C. meetings)? racings held by totalisator clubs. Of these about 100 days are held by metropolitan clubs or' tthose which may be classed as such. Consequently something like £2000 in fees would have to be disgorged by a, bookmaker who wished to he represented at the principal meetings held during the season. It is, therefore, not going to be all milk and honey with the bookmakers, who are anxious to make use of their newlyacquired right, but no doubt as time goes on the fees will get adjusted an some amicable arrangement will bo arrived at between the clubs and the fielders. It is to* be hoped so, or otherwise the starting business, vrhich has 'paused some of the biggest blots on the turf, will never be given ito quietw. -