The Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1913. THE TOTALISATOR.

Southland Times, Issue 17427, 20 August 1913, Page 4

The Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1913. THE TOTALISATOR.

The Lyttelton Times is quite convinced that the totalisator is a machine for the propagation of the vice of gambling. The contention is that the totalisator has made gambling “respectable in the eyes of the law and of society" so that the habit has how become insidiously evil, "more infectious than the drink habit and nearly as disastrous in its consequences.” 11 is quite true that the amount of money passed annually through the machines has increased enormously. The socalled “investments” at this year’s Grand National meeting, which provide the Lyttelton Times with the text for its little homily, amounted to £213,755, or more than half as much as was invested at all the race meetings in the dominion in 1890-31. In that year totalisators on the various

| racecourses of the dominion registered speculations to the amount of £506,078. Last year the “investments” exceeded £3,000,000, and it is not improbable that the four million mark will be passed this year. That the gambling habit should have such a hold upon the population is a matter to be deplored, and any suggestion for minimising the evil deserves the most careful consideration. Hundreds of those who put money into the totallsators make losses which they are not in a position to afford, and in scores of cases the downhill movement which has ended in the wreck of a promising career began at the racecourse. A case which came before him at Wellington the other day moved the Chief Justice to express his regret that the State should have legalised gambling, but the point to be considered ia whether the abolition of the totalisator would have any effect as a remedial measure. It would certainly not stop gambling, and it is doubtful whether it would reduce its volumau Horse-racing is an extraordinarily popular sport, and betting is inseparable from it. The State has to decide whether it is better to allow the gambling propensity of the people to find its outlet > through devious and dubious channels or to regulate It in snch a way as to minimise the mischief which may follow from it. The advantage is with the totalisator system. Betting on the totalisator is open, and it is conducted strictly on a cash basis. The worst form of gambling Is gambling on credit, which is a temptation not only to those who have money but to those who have it not; and who may have to obtain It dishonestly In order to meet their “debts of honour.” Furthermore, by means of the totalisator a substantial proportion of the money with which the people gamble Is appropriated by the State and applied to useful purposes, Racing clubs also derive a revenue from the totalisator which assists them to maintain their grounds in such a state of attractiveness that they are really public parks or pleasure grounds. Again, the racing ilubs are put in a position in which they can encourage the breeding of horses. With gambling the State has to, make the best of a bad job; the abolition of the totalisator would look like giving the job up altogether. We have no more liking than the Lyttelton Times for the gambling evil, but we are unable to see what would be gained by doing away with the totalisator?