CAP AND JACKET

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 33, 30 April 1881, Page 356

CAP AND JACKET

THE NEW BETTING ACT. A\ c are glad to inform our sporting readers that the representations made to the Government anent the necessity of legislation as regards the vexed questions of betting, sweeps, and totalisators have home fruit, and that a Bill to be called the "Betting Act" will be brought into the House of Representatives early next session. As yet it is of course in embryo, but we are credibly informed that the following provisions, many of which ai'e of a somewhat startling nature, will be embodied : — Bookmakers.— The Bill provides for the licensing of a limited number of bookmakers, who will be permitted to bet professionally on racecourses and in other carefully specified places. None but these men are to i»e allowed to lay wagers professionally, and anyone attempting to evade the law will render himself liable to at least six months' imprisonment without option of a fine. The price of a license is to be £100 per annum, and before a bookmaker obtains it he will have— (l) to deposit £200 with the Government, which will be forfeited in event of defaulting or malpractices j and (2) to prove that he is a member of at least one Tattersall's Club in the Colony. These licenses, though renewable annually, are to be capable of suspension at any moment. Betting books "will have to be purchased from the Government and bear the Government stamp. Professionals using unstamped books will render themselves liable to a heavy fine. Bets under £100 entered in a regulation betting-book, and initialled by the backer, will be recoverable at common law Sweeps. — Two or three persons of established character and position in every leadingtown of the Colony will be licensed annually to promote sweeps on certain specified races. The commission is not to exceed 12£ per cent., 2£ per cent, of which will go to the Government Every ticket will have to bear a shilling stamp. The drawing of every sweep will have to take place in public, and "be duly advertised in the papers beforehand. Any person (save those licensed) attempting to get up a sweep will be liable to a fine of not less than £100 for a first offence and £500 for every successive one. Any bookmaker or sweep-promoter betting with or selling a ticket to a minor will be liable to a fine of not more than £10, or in default a week's imprisonment. Sweep promoters appropriating funds entrusted to their care will be treated as common thieves. Totalisators. — Every Racing Club will be entitled to use two totalisators, the working of which they can let out to reliable persons under their own supervision. Two and a half per cent, of the profits will go to the Government, 2J per cent, to the club, and 5 per cent, to the workers.