WILL NOT INCREASE GAMBLING

Chronicle (Levin), 15 February 1949, Page 5

WILL NOT INCREASE GAMBLING

Press Association)

Assn. President's Vrew' on Legalised Off-course Betting

(Per

WELLINGTON, Feb. 15. "The point has been' made by certain interestsjfhat legalising offcourse betting will mean an increase in gambling on horse racing. In my opinion that argument can have no basis in fact," said Mr. S. J. Gudsell, Dominion President of the New Zealand Racing Owners', Breeders' and Trainers' Association, in a statement today. "To those who hold that view, my answer is that the public has at its disposal only a limited betting fuird. and no one can assume* tha, the aggregate of investments would increase with the introduction of a system of lega'ised offcourse betting recommended by .he Gaming Commission. "The only difference the new system would make," he contjnued "would be to divert the money now placed with unlawful bookmakers through lawful channels to the totalisator. "I think the elimination of the bookmaker, with his attendant evils of credit betting and soiiciting bets by agents in almost everj shop, office and factory, would inevitably decrease the total volume of betting and wcruld place racing on a better footing. The present system brings the law into disrepute and leaves the way open for corrupt practice. To remove this black spot from the sport of racing is surely to be desired. "Even the churches must agree with 'that, particularly as they have a'dmitted that prohibition of organised gambling is not a practical possibility. My association is 100 per cent. behind the conference scheme," he concluded. _