NEW GAMING BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 150, 4 October 1910, Page 5

NEW GAMING BILL.

DRASTIC PROVISIONS. Says yesterday's Dominion: —The Government's new Gaming Bill, which is to be circulated to-day, will be found t© contain some drastic provisions. . ' J STREET BETTING. In tjhie, first place, street-betting is •Jei'.lt wi£h in severe fashion. Any per--oii who loiters in any street for purposes of betting will he guilty of an ofunct, and liable to a fine of not less than £2O or .more than £llOO for a first «f----fence. If'he offends again three months' imprisonment may be 'his portion'. Power is given the police to arrest on suspicion without,' warrant. THE BOOKMAKER. The bookmaker i?. condemned outright. It is specifk-al! ■■■ provided that the business of book-making is an unlawful calling; and every person who pursues this calling is liable to a fine of £IOO or imprisonment for three months. Moreover, every person who bets with a bookmaker is liable to a fine not exceeding £SO, unless lie can prove that he did not know when making the wager that he was betting with a bookmaker. Racing clubs are given powers to prevent bookmakers plying their calling on racecourses. THE TOTALISATOR. The intentions of the Government regarding the totalisator will probably prove, of most general interest. At the present time racing cln'bs are granted 128 totalisator permits each year. After July next, if the Bill passes, the number will' be reduced to 100, with a limit of 190 racing days. Trotting clubs will have the numiber of permits issued to 'them reduced from 28 to 22, with a limit of fifty days' racing. The following table will show the position as it is to-day, R«d as it will -be if the Bill passes into law:— Racing Clubs. Permits. Days' racing Present position .. 128 242 New proposals ■.. 100 100 Reduction .. 28 52 Trotting Clubs. Permits. Days' trotting Present position .. 28 63 N»w proposals ~ 22 50

Reduction .. 6 13 The proposed changes will oome as a severe shock to 6ome of the clubs which have committed themselves to engagements ahead. Every totalisator permit issued will (tie issued in respect ti a single race meeting, and will specify the day or days on which the tofcalisator may be used. Instead of tli;- racing and trotting conferences apportioning "the permits, sdbjtH to the Ministers a Bpecial commission, consisting of five pejsoßs, to be appointed' by the Goverraneavt, is to bo set up to receive ' applications, a«d allocate the permits. The Minister, however, will still retain his power of veto. atINGR PBOVT^'IONS. Thara are eoreraJ ,otl»w minor provisoes. One is to compel all who Iwt the totalisator to do*o with gold or h»iifc notes. This is to prevent aay letting on credit by arnlnwinent with si club, which is said to be done on fiotu when the club is satisfied with the financial stability of tho person granted this privilege. The law 's also to be msule more stringent in ;egiwd to tite publication of any indication whatever of the despce of favc ritieni of hoaaes on the totelisator.