THE BOOKMAKER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 252, 19 July 1920, Page 6

THE BOOKMAKER

AND NEW GAMING BILL

DRASTIC PROPOSALS

The Gaming Amendment Bill was circulated during the V&ek end. The evident purpose of the Bill is to make it unprofitable for any person either to carry on the business of hookinakiiig or to 'bo with bookmakers. The operative clauses of tho Bill run as follow:— Tho businesg or .occupation of a bookmaker is hereby declared to be unlawful. Every person carrying cn. <sucb ■business or occupation commits an offence under this Act, and is liable on summary conviction to a nno of .iaOO or to imprisonment for ft term of two years. ... Every person who makes «. bet: witli a bookmaker commits an offence against this Act, and is liablo on summary conviction to a fine of or to imprisonment for a term of ouo month. In anv prosecution for un oftence , against this Act, tho fact that a. person has directly or indirectly offured to make a bet, or has issued or been party to tho issuo of any card or circular indicating in any manner where or with whom a bet may* bo made, or staling the odds upon or against any horse or event, 6liall 1)0 sufficient evidence, iintul tho. contrary is proved, that such person is canying on tho business or occupation of a liookmNo""person shall'bo deemed to commit an offence against this Act "by reason merely of the fact that he has made a bet-with any other person upon any particular event, unless it is part cf tho business or occupation of either or such persons to make bets. ■. Another provision relating to - the removal of bookmakers from TueecimrsM runs: A bookmaker may be .'removed from a racecourse by any agent or ser- . vnnt of the racing clqb having lie use or control of that racecourse or by any constable. It is provided also that totalisator betting may bo carried on as at present permitted by law.