THE LURE OF CHANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1923, Page 14

THE LURE OF CHANCE.

LONDON STREET BETTING. London, May 29. “London Js riddled with street betting,” said 'the Assistant Commissioner of the London police, Mr. Trevor Bigham, giving evidence before the Commission on the Taxation of Betting. Mr. Bigham did not think that it was possible to prevent ready money betting, but imprisonment for a first offence, which was rarely inflicted, would be a deterrent. There were 3274 convictions, with fines aggregating £28,711, in 1922, compared with 2513 convictions and £22,041 in fines, for 1920. The increase was due in more betting, not to greater activity on the part of the police. Credit could be obtained from bookmakers who had offices in London, numbering 800. Street bookmakers numbered about 950. They employed 4000 agents, against whom the uniformed policeman was useless. Lord Jersey explained the position of the Jockey Club in refusing officially to recognise betting. He was of the opinion that it was impossible to prevent betting on the results of races. The chairman thanked the Jockey Club for permitting the committee to visit Epsom to see how the batting was carried on.