BETTING INQUIRY

Southland Times, Issue 22038, 10 June 1933, Page 5

BETTING INQUIRY

BRITISH COMMISSION LARGE LOTTERIES NOT FAVOURED LAW SHOULD BE AMENDED (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, June 8. The final report of the Royal Commission on lotteries and betting states that the main principle followed was that while gambling among private individuals should not be interfered with, organized gambling facilities should be prohibited or restricted where they lead to serious social consequences. It recommends that the existing legislation as to lotteries, gaming and betting should be amended and consolidated. No change is recommended in the existing position at civil law whereby wagering transactions are unenforcible in the Courts. . Office, totalisator betting should be prohibited. All hookmakers on or off racecourses should be registered, and no betting allowed with persons under the age of 17. The institution of large lotteries in Britain is not recommended, as this is considered undesirable in itself and unlikely to assist materially in suppressing the sale of tickets in lotteries promoted elsewhere. If the institution of a large lottery were permitted, the least objectionable form would be a State lottery for the benefit of the Exchequer. The commission’s recommendations include the legalization of postal cash betting, the restriction of bookmakers advertisements, the prohibition of tipsters’ businesses, the restriction of betting to ten days a month or a hundred days a year, the limitation of all racecourse dog tracks to two days a. week, the prohibition of the publication of sweepstake results or information encouraging participation, also the prohibition of newspaper competitions in sporting events unless the prizes are limited to £lOO.