THE TOTALISATOR.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2093, 6 December 1879, Page 2

THE TOTALISATOR.

TOWN EDITION.

What is the totalisator? This is a question that has repeatedly been put to us. Well, the new betting machine is very different from what most people imagine. Totalisators have been exhibited in ISTew Zealand, but they are simply shams, having no more resemblance to the genuine instrument than a sundial has to an ordinary timepiece. The genuine totalisator is of ingenious construction. The exterior presents a number of figures, and resembles the electric bell apparatus that avc arc accustomed to see in the halls of some hotels. The interior mechanism consists of a number of wheels as delicate in construction as those of a watch or clock. It is au open register, in which wagers or sweeps arc entered. Its proprietor holds the stakes, and the backers enjoy all the excitement of a sweep besides having the privilege of backing the horses they approve of. The owner of the totalisator has an assistant who takes the money, issues a ticket for the horse bet upon, and calls out the bet. Directly this is done, a handle is pulled opposite the number of the horse, and the amount is simultaneously altered in two places—the figures above registering the total stakes showing the newly made addition, and the amount opposite the horse being correspondingly increased. Thus, the speculator on horse racing, walking up to the totalisator, secs at a glance the number of the race on which bets are being made, the amounts bet upon the respective horses, and the total value of the stakes. He is able to determine which is the favorite horse, and what animals are considered “ out of it,” by the sums bet upon them, and to make up his mind accordingly. As soon as the race is concluded, the proprietor deducts five per cent, from the total, for his h’oublc and the use of the machine, and divides the remainder into equal proportions amongst the ticket holders for the winning horse. It will bo observed from this brief explanation that the principle of the totalisator is fair, as far as betting on horse-races can be fair, and that those who patronise the machine enjoy all the excitement of a general sweep, while they have the advantage of knowing that the promoter has only a legitimate profit from the transaction, and that the money staked is divided among the more lucky of the shareholders, instead of flowing into a single pocket.

THE TOTALISATOII: No. of Face. 3

The diagram above will couvc3 r an idea ol! the machine. The number of the race is given, and the total amount bet on it £l5O. Beneath the total the amounts bet on the different horses appear. The slanting lines opposite represent the handles that arc pulled every time a new ticket is issued. From the condition of the instrument it will be observed that the ninth horse on the card is the favorite, for £lO have been staked on it, while on Nos. 3,5, 10, and 12, nothing has been bet. Supposing a persoji steps up and, depositing a £l, takes out a ticket for horse No. 1, the handle is pulled and the figure nine opposite immediately becomes ten, while at the same moment the total above is changed from 150 to 151. From the explanation we .... given, the mode in which (his interesting novelty—a betting machine that is likely to supersede the bookmaker—will, we presume, be easily understood.

Total amount subscribed. 0 15 0 i .. .. 9 | 0 .. 1 .. 4 1 11 . . .. -1 /: /, | / 2 .. 3 0 | 7 .. 1 0 1 12 . / /! / 3 Is .. .. 7 j 13 . . 3 0 - / /i / •1 .. .. 6 | 9 .. 1 0 | 11 .. . .. 5 /! /i / 5 - 10 .. .... 13 .. . .. 5 /' 1 /