TOTALISATOR AND BOOKMAKERS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2651, 5 November 1909, Page 7

TOTALISATOR AND BOOKMAKERS

[To the Editor.]

, Sir, —Kindly allow me space in your valuable columns to relate a little experience which I had at the recent meeting of the Poverty Bay Turf Club. I was fortunate enough to back a double on the fourth and seventh races, the said bet 'being made on the course and with) one of the club’s licensed bookmakers. As my horse passed the post on the second occasion, 1 made my way to the bookmaker with whom I had made the bet, and awaited /payment. He took my ticket and put it in his bag, and making out another like it, gave me 10s, and marked “balance £10” on the back. He cLC the same thing to another backer #\o bad won/£ls 15s, giving him Las.;,and a ticket for £ls. I remonstrated with him, and was informed that lie bad not brought his double money with, him, but he would meet “the boys”'ate the Gisborne Hotel that evening arid/settle. I told him that I had no intention of meeting him in any hotel, and wanted my money straight away, advising him to borrow it from one of his brother bookmakers. He tried to do this and failed. I then went to the secretary of the club and police \and informed them of the fact that a certain bookmaker could not pay out. The reply I received from the secretary and also the president of the club (Mr. J..AV. Nolan) was that it “served me jolly well right” for betting with a . bookmaker, instead of on the totalisator. Despite my reporting the matter, the bookmaker’ in question was allowed to open up his hook on the eighth race, and go on further victimising the public. He did not turn up at the hotel that evening, and Iv* dicl not appear in his usual place on the second day of the races. Now, I want to know, Mr. Editor, .what remedy I have against the club? They took fifteen guineas from the bookmaker, and licensed him to take the public down, and when one complains is informed that lie hac received his deserts. I would like to know what steps the club took to inquire into the man’s standing before granting him a, license, and' why fifteen bookmakers were licensed the first day and only seven- the second. I would suggest to the club that in future each bookmaker be asked to find securities for a couple of hundred pounds before being allowed to bet, and that some inquiries be made as to tho previous character of .the men licensed. . I understand that my experience in only that which befel others at the lull Club’s meeting. —I am, etc., W. J. P. GAUDIN.