CAN GAMBLING BE PREVENTED?

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 786, 30 March 1905, Page 6

CAN GAMBLING BE PREVENTED?

A great deal of nonsense is written and said on the subject of gambling. The man who has been found guilty of taking his employer’s cash invariably pleads that he lost the money at the races, and, no matter whether this be true or not, we are generally treated to a rather wearisome homily at the hands of the judge, especially if it be the Chief Justice, on the sin of attending race meetings The gentlemen who adorn the Bench should be logical, if nothing else, but in their remarks on gambling as a fact they very rarely are so. With them, and with quite a number of other well-intentioned people, the mistake is made of confusing gambling with racing. We do not deny for a moment that too much gambling is indulged in at race meetings, but to imagine that this is the only form of betting is farcically absurd. The only difference is that with stocks, shares, mining, and the-, like it is called by another name. It is quite safe to assert that more money has been lost over mining “ investments,” otherwise betting on the market rising or falling, than has ever been squandered on the turf. Writing on the subject the “ Town and Country Journal ” has the following sensible remarks :— “ As regular as the seasons the yearly complaint is made by some religious body of the great evil of gambling. This time a special attack is made on Tattersail’s sweeps. There is no doubt that a lot of gambling is done in Australia, but not more so than in any other country. People will always gamble. Though it is fiard to make some believe it, there are many worse forms of gambling than having a wager upon a horse. Why Tattersall’s sweeps should come in for such a severe attack it is hard to say. The money invested is paid out again, less the percentage, which in a great measure goes to pay those who have the work to do in connection with the sweep. Those who are-fortunate to win a prize are, in the majority of cases, greatly benefited by the lucky windfall. Of course we know of instances in which the winners made anything but a good use of their prize. Many others, who have come into a lot of money without working for it, have done likewise, and such will always be the case. If, in place of railing against Tattersall’s, betting and racing generally; the good men of the community would set their minds to remedying the evil, then they might be able to do some good. It is as certain as the sun shines that by no Act of Parliament will betting ever be stopped. But with proper laws, and administered, as they should be, betting and gambling can be curtailed and brought within reasonable limits.”