TOTE IN N.S.W.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1925, Page 4

TOTE IN N.S.W.

[UY TELEUKAFH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, October 27. Retting on the totalisator does not appeal to the sporting public in New South Wales, according to Mr E. Earl, K.(' m of Auckland, who returned by the Aorangi after a three months’ visit to Australia.

••'['lie totalisator is a failure in New South Wales,” said Mr Earl, “ owing to the fact that they pay a third dividend.” Under the system 1-1 per cent of the total investments was taken out of the pool and. of the remainder. CO per cent was allotted to the first horse, 20 per cent to the second and 20 per cent to the third. He compared this with the New Zealand method, under which 77, per cent went to hackers of the first horse and 27, nor cent to the second, after 10 per cent had been taken out of the pool and 21 per cent dividend taxdeducted from the remainder, and said that the additional 20 per cent given to the third horse reduced the dividend on the winning horse to such an ■rxteiir that no one who hotted seriously placed money on the totalisator. Mr Earl said that the totalisator in New South Wales, was supported mainly bv women, and he was astounded to’ note the number of women who were betting in this way. Being used to the totalisator, ho used this means of placing his money. Imt, in a queue at the stewards’ stand, ho found that he was one of two or throe men who were doing so while KlO women wore in line. Most of the monov sLill went on with the bookmakers.

Regarding the bookmakers, Mr P.nrl said they were very strongly” established in New South Wales, and ho did not think they would ever he eliminated.

In Yicturia there was a Bill before Parliament providing lor the introduction of the totalisator and fixing a term after which bookmakers would not he allowed to operate. The Bill was not yet law. and lie did not think it would he possible ever to ellllliu ate the bookmaker in that State.