BETTING TAX IN SYDNEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19270, 6 January 1931, Page 12

BETTING TAX IN SYDNEY.

Disastrous Effect On Racing.

THE TAX of 10 per cent on ■winning bets, -which was imposed recently by the Lang Government, seems destined to have a very serious effect on racing in New South Wales. Already it has induced many of the big backers to cease betting operations, while it is probable that a section of the bookmakers will suspend operations in the meantime. The well-known writer, “ Pilot,” discussed the situation in the Sydney “Referee” of December 24, as follows:

Supporters of racing in New South Wales never had greater cause for pessimism. Heavily taxed for many vears, they have now been loaded with a burden they cannot carry. After all, regular supporters of racing either in the cit3 r or country comprise comparatively a small section of the community, and a drain of two millions annually from backers, on top of what they already contribute, is too much to expect. Men with fair knowledge of the limit of the amount the racing public can contribute to the State do not think anything near two millions can possibly be reached, but in trying for that end it appears as if the goose which is expected to lay the golden egg is in danger of being killed by the Government. With depression never greater in every industry it is not the time racegoers should be expected to annually supply any Government with three times as much revenue as in the past. At Randwick on Saturday the attendance was down over TOGO as compared with the corresponding day last rear, and though that falling-off could not altogether be attributed to a protest by backers against the winning bets tax, it tended to prove that the Government had chosen the wrong time to demand an extravagant revenue from racing. We are accustomed to growls from bookmakers as to lack of monev at meetings, but during the whole of the year there has been a genuine decrease. Totalisator figures alone prove that small bettors cannot afford to invest to the same extent as in the past. On Saturday the turnover at Randwick was £32.325 10s, against £46.402 15s a year earlier, and for the eight days at Randwick since the commencement of the current season the total drop is £150.856, as compared with the same days last year. The totalisator turnover for the initial eight days of last season, at Randwick, was £431,270, and for the current one £280.144. Those figures alone should convince

Mr Lang, or whoever advises him in these matters, that it is many years since there was less money in Sydney for racing. Nor can it be otherwise with nearly every business far below normal. Directly and indirectly racing gives employment to many thousands in this State, and for that reason the harm possible from over-taxation should Ix2 kept well in sight. Some owners and trainers talk of removing to other States, but that is merely froth. It is no certainty they would improve the position for themselves, and they know it. Melbourne would not be an improvement. In that city the leading clubs as well as those of minor importance are lowering stakes. The Victoria Racing Club and the Victoria Amateur Turf Club have taken that step in connection with their principal handicaps. Not only has the Victoria Racing Club reduced the Newmarket Handicap from £2500 to £2OOO. and the Australian Cup from £3OOO to £2500, but it has substituted entrance and acceptance fees for forfeits and sweepstakes. That means the club retains such money, instead of its going to swell the winners’ share of the prizes. It would only need the licensing ot betting shops to complete the discomfiture of racing clubs in Sydney and lead to lower stakes throughout New South Wales. Before that happens, or the present betting tax is firmly established, all supporters of racing should join forces with a view to impressing upon the Government that the position is unfair. So far those most concerned have talked a lot, and done nothing, but in England unfair racing taxation was successfully combated. Continuous effort should achieve the same result here, and racing men with any political influence should exercise it to save an industry—it is not now a sport—that was never in graver danger in this State. As many of Mr Lang’s supporters are racing men they, in particular, should command attention. If so, they should fight hard for the game to which they owe everything.