129
contributing factor to the successful conduct of illegal off-course betting businesses. In a minor degree the objection is based upon the contention that the broadcasting of racing information is an unwarrantable disturbance of the enjoyment of those who are disinterested in racing, but interested in other types of programmes or in the description of events of a different character. 357. There is no test by which it can be ascertained, even approximately, to what extent the broadcasting of running descriptions of races with supplementary comments acts as a stimulus to betting. That it facilitates the operations of those off-course bettors known as " progress bettors " who desire to hear the result of each preceding race before betting upon the next, is beyond question. But it is more problematical whether a broadcast of running descriptions with some supplementary information as to runners, jockeys, and other information of the kind provokes betting by persons not already interested in horse racing and not already addicted to the habit of betting. In the absence of addiction to betting or a proclivity to bet, people of this type would be unaware of the telephone numbers through the medium of which they could make contact with a bookmaker. On the other hand, it might be that young people, having the excitement of the racecourse brought to their notice, might be subjected to influence in favour of racing. Such an influence would have a tendency to induce them to attend races rather than to become off-course bettors. Ultimately, of course, they might graduate from racecourse bettors into off-course bettors, for such a process of graduation is probably the normal development of the off-course bettor. 358. Whilst, therefore, it is difficult to estimate the degree of inducement to bet which is inspired by broadcasting, there can be little doubt but that it does provide some stimulus in that direction, particularly if certain types of information such as starting-price odds are transmitted over the air. On this subject the late Mr. Warburton was an emphatic witness, and he spoke with peculiar authority having regard to the nature of his occupation and the length of his experience. All Commissions elsewhere which have been constrained to consider the subject have also expressed the view that broadcasting is a stimulus. Mr. Warburton and these Commissions to which we refer were all of them, however, concerned with a racing set-up and with circumstances somewhat different from those which pertain in this country, and the difference may be material. 359. That to any considerable degree it acts as such to any other section of the community than the " progress bettor " is open to some question. It may well be that its stimulating effect is almost completely exhausted after its influence on progress bettors, and those already interested in horse-racing and addicted to betting has been taken into
Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.
By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.
Your session has expired.