LOTTERIES AND GAMING ACT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3778, 23 November 1907, Page 3

LOTTERIES AND GAMING ACT.

The definition of a certain bookmaker in the Lotteries and Gaming Act, passed by the House yesterday is “a person who carries on business as book-maker or turf commission agent, or who gains or endeavours to gain his livelihood wholly or partly by making wagers.’’

The sale of Tattersall’s tickets in New Zealand is illegal. Betting by post, telegraph, or telephone, is illegal.

Mr Stevens said that an offender under this Act was deprived of the right he would have if he committed a heinous offence under another Act. He hoped the Premier would amend the clause. He would support every clause that would minimise the gambling evil, but he declined to support any clause that deprived an accused person of the right of trial by jury, even if he never occupied a seat in the House again. , Publication of starting prices are prohibited. Double betting on the totalisator is prohibited. Clause 35 provides that every racing club authorised to use the totalisator shall, on application, grant bookmakers licenses, Mr Davey moved a new clause to provide that racing clubs using the totalisator shall pay dividends to the nearest sixpence. Carried by 27 to 25, Mr Davey moved a new clause, that on and after August Ist, 1908 the number of days on which the totalisator shall be used at all race meetings shall be reduced by onesixth. The clause was carried by 30 to 23, but has since been rejected by the Upper House.