CONTROL OF THE BOOKMAKER

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1931, Page 7

CONTROL OF THE BOOKMAKER

MR ARMSTRONG’S BILL. PROPOSALS FOR LICENSING. AND TAXATION. WELLINGTON, June 26. Proposals for the licensing and taxation of bookmakers in New Zealand, estimated to yield an annual revenue of £300,000, are contained in the Gaming Act Amendment Bill introduced into the House by Mr H. T. Armstrong (Labour, Christchurch East). The Bill seeks to legalise the business of bookmaking and to set. up a board for licensing at an annual fee of £2OO, together with the deposit of a fidelity bond of £IOOO. The lui.ibcr of bookmakers is estimated by the author of the Bill at 350.

It is proposed that the board should consist of the senior stipendiary magistrate at Wellington as chairman, one member each representing the New Zealand Racing and Trotting Conferences, a raccconsc detective and two members to be appointed by licensed bookmakers. A license will entitle the bolder to carry on business at his registered office and upon any racecourse, subject to conditions laid crown by the club concerned. Where clubs refuse permission business must be confined to the bookmaker’s licensed premises. Provision is made for the licensing of clerks at a fee of £2.

STREET BETTING PROHIBITED Street betting,, hotel betting and laying of totahsator odds are prohibited, and every betting transaction must bo on tickets issued by the Internal Affairs Department at a charge of three pence each. Bookmakers will be obliged to. keep separate banking accounts and proper account and to submit the mfor six-monthly audit. In addition, each bookmaker will be required to deliver a weekly statement to the Treasury of all business done by him.

The basis of taxateion proposed is 5 per cent on the actual amount won in every wagered bet made away from the racecourse. If a .wager results in a punter winning the bookmaker is to deduct 5 per cent and forward it, and if the wager results in bi.s favour bo will nay the tax himself. Racing clubs will be entited to 2j- n-u- cent of the taxation of bets made on the course. Substantial penalties are suggested for breaches.

BOOKMAKERS FLOURISHING. “When I suggest icensing 350,” Mr Armstrong adued, “that' would hardly equal tile number known to be operating in the Jkuckiahd province alone. It is no use shutting our eyes to these facts. For over twenty years we have been endeavouring to suppress bookmaking, but to-day bookmakers are flourishing to a greater extent than ever. There are more of them at present than ever before in the history of New Zealand.” He had the matter with people prominent in racing circles, he said, and there seemed to be a general demand for legislation, particularly from horse owners. “Some of the racing club officials,” lie added, “do not appear to be satisfied with the percentage clubs woud be entitled to, but that is a matter which could be gone into by a committee of the House. I do not claim that the Bill i.s perfect in every respect. I repeat that bookmakir.g in New Zealand shoul deither be suppressed or controlled, and taxed. Attempts at suppression have failed, and I consider the time has arrived when we should control the business and enable the country to obtain some revenue from it.”