ENGLAND BEGINS TO SEE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE TOTALISATOR.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 938, 27 February 1908, Page 5

ENGLAND BEGINS TO SEE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE TOTALISATOR.

“We notice that the last year’s turnover at the Pari Mutuels is officially estimated at the gigantic total of £12,000,000 (says “Country Life.”) It is generally accepted that there is far more betting in England than in France, and, if that be so, one cannot help wondering what is the amount of money employed in betting transactions in the course of a year’s racing in England. This system is the only method of betting permissible in France, and the reason for its adoption appears to be that by its means it is possible to lay a toll, in favour of several praiseworthy objects, on all who bet, and that by a very logical process of reasoning the French authorities argue: We do not approve of betting, but you will bet — that we know; therefore you shall bet in such a fashion that we can tax your betting operations. This is done by means of the Pari Mutuel, and the percentage levied on all transactions is divided in certain proportions between works of charity, the improvement of racing and racecourses, and, above all, the encouragement of horsebreeding in France. Thus, out of the impost levied on the huge total already mentioned, £120,000 was al lotted to the Government Stud Commission for the purchase of stallions likely to be of service in the Statesupported haras, which render such immense service to the cause of horse-breeding in France. Breeders in England receive neither recognition nor support from the nation. To those who are willing to read the writing on the wall, the time is not far distant when we shall suffer not only from a shortage of horses, but from a falling-off in the quality of what may be called horses for general purposes. In the enormous sums of money which annually change hands in betting transactions, there is a hitherto untapped source of revenue, some of which might, if rightly used, do much to maintain the national industry of horse-breeding at its proper level. Betting cannot be suppressed; men have wagered from time immemorial, and they will continue to do so until the crack of doom; but betting can be legalised, and in that lies the whole crux of the matter. With its legislation would disappear many of the undoubted evils which at present exist in connection with it, and upon the wisdom with which the legislation was effected would depend the accessibility of a not inconsiderable source of revenue to the State.”

There is plenty of money to be won in jumping races in America. Last year J. E. Widener won sixteen events of this class, his prize-money coming to slightly ov er J. Hitchcock was next with and then John E. Madden with £Bx3B.