FIGHTING THE TOTE

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1935, Page 9

FIGHTING THE TOTE

METHODS. IN AMERICA. When the proposed introduction of the totalisator was a “bogey” for bookmakers in a couple of, Australian States some years ago, funds were raised to fight it. Incidentally, some amusing tales are told regarding the distribution of those funds. It was alleged that one politician, on being handed a substantial sum, pretended to believe it was all for himself, and told some of his fellow-workers, “I’ve got my cut; you had better see about yours.” And that was the end of it so far as they were concerned.

Next year a Bill for the legalisation of .the totalisator at New York is to receive consideration, and the bookmakers, whose calling was legalised last year, are preparing to strenuously oppose it. Relative to' this an American writer says: “It is stated the bookmakers have quietly collected a fund of £50,000, which is being used to convince some of the New York legislators of the evils of totalisator betting and the virtues of bookmaking.” The prospect of a division of £50,000 will probably convince, many New York politicians that machine betting is an absolute curse.