Off-course Betting On Totalisator Authorised In Gaming Bill

Chronicle (Levin), 12 October 1949, Page 7

Off-course Betting On Totalisator Authorised In Gaming Bill

WELLINGTON, October 11. Off-course betting on the totalisator, in accordance with a scheme to be approved by the Minister of Internal Aftairs, is authorised by tne Gaming Amendment Bill introduced and read a first.time in tlie Jtlouse of Representatives today. The scheme wilL be submitted by the New Zealand Racing and Trotting Conieiences for the Minister's approval. The Bill also provides for — (a) A totalisator agency board to control the scheme. The board will be appointed by the Racing and Trotting Conferences. (b) The operation of the doubles totalisator. (c) The publication of dividends. (d) Tipping by newspapers. _ ' (e) An increase from three to five m the liumber of totalisatois on a racecourse. (f) An additional 19 days for trotting. (g) The removal of the present limit of £5 that can be subscribed to sweepstakes at non-totalisator or picnic race meetings.

The totalisator agency board is auth- •! orised to borrow moneys and to enable | 5 it to earry out its functions, advanees j i mav be made to it bv the Minister ot ^ ( Finance subject to sucli security as he , i thinks fit. There are machinery clauses , s providing for the appointment of ofii- i cers by the board and the making of . 1 contracts by the board. Theclanse deal- ] ing with the making of rules for the 1 operation of the scheme or for the carry i ing out of the functions of the board, s also states that, subject to the appro- 1 val of the Governor-Geneval, the : board may make regulations controlling the admission of persons to any totalis- ; ator agency. The board is also ernpow- j ered to prohibit adiuission to a totalisator agencv just as racing ciubs axe empowered to refuse admission to a raceC0UrSe- 4. ^ 4-V 4. ,4- ' The operative ciause states that it , shall he lawful for totalisator invest tnents on horse races to he lodged and ; received at totalisator agencies situatea , elsewhere than at racecouxses and es- , tahlished in accordance with an approv- . ed scheme. Provision is made for the payment of dividends at the agencies. jSfot later than a dav to be lixed by - the Minister, tlie Racing and Trotting Conferences, acting together, shall submit to the Minister a scheme for the estabiishment and operation by the board of totalisator agencies. The scheme shall define the functions and powers of the board. It may provide for the nuxnber and terxus of ohice of uiembex's of the board, piovision of tuuds required for the administration and operatiou of the scheme, and the .eceivjng at agencies of iii\ estments and ihe maiiner in whxch sucii invest ..xents shall x.e made. It may also pro- . xde lor the transxnission of particulars ot suclx xn> estments to racxng clubs li I . acecoui'ses for registration on totalisa,ors, the payment of dividends calculUted iii accordance with the prxncxpai et, and int: , method of accounting ar. leiweeg -iiibs, nx^vl totabsator xigencies. Ihe scheme lnay provide for the estauiiSiiment of agencies in clitferent placeo. Froi'ision is made for a variation of tixe scheme or the subnussion of part jt Ihe scheme but no scheme or part tlxereof or aii\" vai'iation of it shdil vome iiito force uiitii approved by the .diuister. Advertisements are authorised giving .Ue list of agencies, their liours of business and telephone uumbers. The eoiiditioiis upon v. hich iuvestiuents may ■u recexv ed can also be advertised. Pro . lsion is made lor tne the extension o! iOtalisator inspection to totalisator agncxes. Publication of Dividends. The existing provisiuixs prohilxiting the pubiicalion of dividends, are repealed. Tipping is to be permitted ouly by newspapers (otlier than by way of ad vertisement). Every person commits an olfence and is liable to a tine not exceeding ihiU who, in considerat ion or expectation of any payment or otherwise for gam, gives or offers to give any oral iiiformation or ailvice relating to the probable resuit of anv horse race whether in or out of

STew Zealand or holds any other person out as willing to give such mfoxnation or advice, or to make any bel ir vvager on the resuit of any hoisc race. This provision shall not be construed to prevent tlie transmission oi my information or advice from au> broadcasting station. Gaming House Searches The procedure for the obtaining ot a search warrant in respect of premises suspeeted to be a common gaming hous^ has been aiuended slightly. The exist ing law authorises a Justice of thc Peace to grant a warrant "upon complaint made before him on oath ' anu "if such premises are cominonly reported and believed" to be used as a common gaming house. The Bill pro vides that a Justice requires merely to be " satisfied on oath" and complam ant need only believe that tlie premises are used as a common ganiing house. The form of warrant is amended accord ingly. Betting on sports grounds is made an offence punishabie for first offence by a fine up to £20. For subsequent olfences provision is made for a fine not exceeding £50 or imprisonment up to oue month. The terin "sports" is vvidened to include dog races and \vr6stiing matches. The eiause removing the £5 linnt on' sweepstakes at non-totalisator meetings, provides that a racing club inay deduc. up to 10 per cent froxu such sweep stakes by way of commission. The preparation or possession oi betting or iottery documents i. made an ol'fence punishabie by a lim not exceeding £50. Provision is madi for the making of regulations for anu giving eff'ect to the oft-course betting scheme. I The legislation becomes effective on I December 15. I Members' Questions ' A brisk discussiou, which vvas mark ed bv frequent interjectioins seekmg details of tlie ol'f-course betting propus af," foliowed the introduction of tln Bill in the House. ; The Bill was then read a hrst time-