DANGER IN SWEEPSTAKES

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1932, Page 9

DANGER IN SWEEPSTAKES

abuses affecting sport

LORD HAREWOOD URGES CONTROL.

GOOD WORD W TOTALISATOK,

By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. Rec. 7.25 p.m. London, Sept. 16. The dangers of bribery and other abuses inherent in big sweepstakes were reviewed by Lord Hare-wood before the Royal Commission on lotteries and betting. He agreed that sporting interests would be less endangered if sweepstakes were legalised and placed under Government control. He knew an instance of a horse running solely for the stake profit and also of bribery negotiations. Small club sweepstakes were innocuous. Big sweepstakes enabled drawers of eligible horses to pay owners amounts exceeding the forfeits in order to' persuade them to run their horses and allow the drawers to win a prize, thus swelling the field and interfering with the chances of better animals. Negotiations with the Calcutta promoters had resulted in ‘ the abolition of runners’ prizes. A ticket-holder with £30,000 to play with could heavily bribe -stableboys, trainers and jockeys to secure th© defeat of other horses. The totalisator, which was good for the turf, should be more strongly controlled or allotted to a responsible body.