We regret that the Bishop of Hereford's Gambling Adver- tisements
Bill was withdrawn in the House of Lords, the Home Office opposing it as unsuitable. As our readers know, we are no enemies of sport. We do not consider the wagering of money a crime per se. Again, though betting when it is carried to an extreme can become a terrible economic and moral danger, we do not think that it would be in any way advisable to make betting between man and man a crime. We do contend, however, that the State is wise to penalize anything in the nature of betting in public, and to forbid the organization and financial exploiting of the passion for betting and gaming. No one in his senses suggests allowing the reopening of gambling hells or permitting bookmakers to open public establishments or to carry on their trade in the streets and public places. But though the law is so strongly against gambling and offering facilities for betting in public places, we actually allow the columns of our newspapers, than which there can be nothing more public, to be used by book- makers and betting touts and commission-agents to advertise their trade and their willingness to transact business with the public. The harrying of the bookmaker, while we leave alone the wealthy newspaper which inserts betting advertise- ments and betting tips, is a gross scandal.
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