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XI. RACING With the coming into force on the 15th December, 1949, of the Gaming Amendment Act, 1949, many important changes have taken place. The major provisions of the Act have authorized : (1) The establishment of an off-course betting scheme to be administered by an organization set up by the New Zealand Racing Conference and New Zealand Trotting Conference. The scheme is to be approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs. (2) The doubles totalizator. (3) An additional 19 totalizator permits for trotting (as recommended by the Royal Commission on Racing and Gaming). (4) An extension of section 45 of the Gaming Act, 1908, to permit the use of the " equalizator " at non-totalizator meetings. For the current racing year ending 31st July, 1950, the allocation of totalizator permits is 240 days for racing and hunt clubs and 99 days for trotting clubs. Non-totalizator permits for meetings on 151 days were issued for the year ended 31st March, 1950. The reintroduction of the doubles totalizator which operated on the 17th December, 1949, for the first time since 1907, was carried out smoothly. Discussions between departmental officers and the various totalizator supervisors resulted in a uniform method of operation. It is interesting to note that an amount of £505,051 10s. was invested on the doubles totalizator during the period 17th December, 1949, to 31st March, 1950. The average daily double during that period was £lO4 for £l. Inspectors of the Department attended all totalizator meetings to ensure compliance with the law regarding the operation of the totalizators. Particulars of the investments and the details of the taxation thereon are published in the Monthly Abstract of Statistics. XII. RAFFLES AND ART-UNIONS Thirteen licences were issued during the year for the regular £5,000 art-unions,, the aggregate result of these being : £ Gross sales .. .. .. .. .. .. 281,405 Commission on sales .. .. .. .. .. 42,208 Expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 33,102 Lottery duty .. .. .. .. .. 28,138 Net profit .. .. .. .. .. .. 112,946 Out of the commissions on sales district agents are required to find office accommodation, clerical assistance, telephones, postages, and exchange. The following allocations were made during the year : £ Mayoral and other recognized central relief of distress funds 39,918 Charitable and philanthropic organizations .. .. 32,410 Childrens' health camps .. .. .. .. 9,855 Miscellaneous grants to individuals in need .. .. 3, 969 CORSO .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,000 Cultural fund .. .. .. .. .. 19,740 Six hundred, and thirty-four licences for small raffles were issued under section 42: of the Gaming Act, 1908.

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