TOO MUCH BETTING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2595, 1 September 1909, Page 2

TOO MUCH BETTING.

In regard to the substantial increase in the totalisator turnover ’ during Grand National week, it is quite possible that most of this increase is more apparent than real, for the Gaming Act has stopped a very considerable amount of betting that used to go on day by day for practically every day in the week, and many people now find themselves better “soled and heeled” for an occasional visit to the racecourse than they were in the days when the close of one week’s racing simply meant the opening of another. Their little “flutters” are now confined to the racecourse proper, and there is some check on the amount which they expend, whereas formerly the bookmakers, dealing tinder the rose, handled enormous sums of which the public had no recognisance. But this is merely a side issue, and the fact remains that the volume of betting is altogether outside the public’s legitimate means, and has'reached dimensions .that, constitute a public menace. The .amount of horseracing in the Dominion is altogether out of proportion to the population . and the only way to reduce expenditure of money upon a seductive and fascinating sport is to reduce the number of days of racing.—“ Christchurch Star.”