The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, October 1, 1948. BETTING QUESTION.

Grey River Argus, 1 October 1948, Page 4

The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, October 1, 1948. BETTING QUESTION.

’J’HAT some means alternative to that of bookmaking for offcourse wagering' would i educe the amount of money staked regularly in this country might be doubted. It is on the assumption that it would mean a reduction that some members of Parliament declare themselves in favour of a, referendum upon whether provision should be made for such off-course betting that would have the character at least of legality. Another, argument in favour of the proposal is that it would be calculated to minimise what is known as ‘credit betting, which is done otherwise than upon the totalisator. No doubt a proportion of those who now bet on credit would utilise alternative facilities such as might be provided under the scheme to be formulated by the Racing and Trotting Conferences, but other credit bettors would not. For one thing they resort to credit on account of a lack of ready money, and would be still prone to go where they could make bets on that basis. Moreover, there might be a higher premium on such business if the bookmakers had to rely upon it to a greater extent, and 'means might be sought in. order to cater for it in a still greater degree. While it is not indicated to what extent credit is given, cases where the pickers of losers land themselves in debt are sometimes given publicity, and create a very bad impression. One consequence of channelling into the totalisator a large proportion of off-course wagering would be to augment the revenues both of the State and of the clubs, so that the funds on which racing depends would be enlarged. It is possibly that calculation which inspires the arguments of those members of Parliament who say that the evil about betting inheres mostly in that proportion of it which is illegal. It is very questionable whether the legally of a bet weighs much with a great majority, iconsidering that there is probably more money staked in that way than there is handed into the totalisator. Racing in New Zealand must compare per capita with that in any other country alike as to money and attendance, and it probably is better distributed than in any other country. It certainly is relatively well regulated, and for that the clubs and the control of so much betfang' through the totalisator arc responsible. The degree of publicity is very great, alike by press and radio, and contributes, along with the very regular spacing' and the continuity of meetings all the year round, to focus the attention of people, and, it may be said, younger people, on gee-gees. It would be difficult to gainsay the conclusion that, while wagering is a natural propensity, the biggest single factor in the whole thing is money. Some have called it the “poor man’s stock exchange,” and for perhaps the .great majority an “interest” in a horse race is more recreational than 'mercenary. In many countries, without such facilities for racecourse betting, there is a deal of gaming in the form of lotteries, nobody going to any great excess, and somebody landing a fortune from time to time. It is thus doubtful if off-course betting could be more than partially diverted from present channels to the totalisator, although the Opposition members who express such anxiety to see the “doubles” totalisator instituted may be correct in expecting that by this means the revenue from betting would, be considerably increased for the State and. the clubs. ! Probably the revenue aspect has its weight: with the Government. The volume of betting to-day is greater than it formerly was mainly because the people generally, have more means, and because there is not as great inducement as there otherwise might be to invest any surplus in productive property. The referendum, if it has an affirmative result, may, in the event, check some betting, and is unlikely to increase the total. But any check upon the incomes of the people will exert a greater effect.