GETTING BETS ON

Evening Star, Issue 22142, 24 September 1935, Page 8

GETTING BETS ON

NEW GAMING AMENDMENT MOOTED APPOINTMENT OF TOTALISATOR BOARD INVESTMENT AWAY FROM COURSE [From Our Paruamentarv Reporter.] ' WELLINGTON, September 24. Provided that the opposition coming from a particular section of the community interested financially in racing can bo overcome, there is a strong probability of a Gaming Amendment Bill being introduced this session. 'ln the last two sessions attempts have been made to amend the gaming laws, but both tho Bill introduced in the House by Mr Healy, and that introduced in the Legislative Council last session by Mr Davis (Auckland), met with a quick fate. The one was talked out in the House, and for the other, though Mr Davis’s Bill received a substantial majority in the Council, it met a fate similar to Mr Healy’s when it was received by the House. As far as the measure proposed to be introduced this session is concerned, it is understood that the promoters are not prepared to risk it again being given short shrift, and it is stated that, unless the conflicting views can be reconciled no attempt will be made to introduce legislation. With that end in view, negotiations are at present in progress with a view to arriving at a formula suitable to both parties. It is stated that the promoters would be satisfied if the measure went to its second reading in the House, as they are confident that, with_ a particular objection overcome, the Bill would have a substantial majority. For somo time past the Racing Conference has sought permission to telegraph investments to the totalisator, for permission to publish dividends, and to bo allowed to have a double totalisator in operation. It is claimed that the totalisator has been adopted by many countries as tho most fair manner of betting. At the recent meetingof the Racing Conference, the licensing of bookmakers was introduced for discussion, and met with an unfavourable reception, conference taking the view that no good would come of licensing bookmakers. A Bill has been drafted embodying the views of the Racing Conference, and has been submitted to the Government for consideration.

It provides for the establishment of a totalisator board consisting of five, three to be appointed by the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Racing Conference ati;d two by the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Trotting Conference, with a tenure of office of one year. This board would be empowered to make __ regulations governing the appointment of agents, and to deal with any other matters connected with the investment of moneys away from racecourses; a minimum investment of 5s that may be made either by personal application or by correspondence.

In conformity with the principles of the Bill, it is proposed that the Gaming Act, 1908, be amended in the direction of permitting the delivery of betting telegrams to racecourses; also, that the publication of dividends or starting prices should he legalised. It is further proposed that the board should be immune from the provisions of section 30 of the Gaming Act, which deals with advertisements as to betting on horse races. The Bill also provides for the establishment of a double totalisator.