NO LOTTERIES FOR ENGLAND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19512, 10 June 1933, Page 17

NO LOTTERIES FOR ENGLAND

ROYAL COMMISSION j REPORTS IMPORTANT REFORMS ADVOCATED British Official Wireless (Received June 9, 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, organised gambling facilities should be prohibited or restricted, where they lead to serious social consequences.

The Commission recommends that 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 bookmakers on or off racecourses should be registered, and no betting allowed with persons under the age of seventeen. 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 Commissioners recommendations include: Legislations of postal and cash betting; Restriction of bookmakers’ advertisements; Prohibition of tipsters’ business; Restriction of betting to ten days monthly, or one hundred yearly and on all racecourse and dog tracks to be limited to two days weekly. 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 £IOO.