[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—The best plan would be to do away with all bookmakers and have the " Pari-inutuel " or " Totalisator." Betting now in this country is a national curse, and should be checked.: Where one person betted before the War there are now twenty " backers," including a large proportion of women and many children. It is retarding the general progress of: the nation. •
I have had experience of the " Pari-mutuel " in four - countries. If adopted in this country, it would yield to the Government much more than the five millions which a tax on bookmakers is calculated to produce, though the tax would probably not bring in half this sum. The " Pari-mutuel " is an extremely simple method of taxing betting, whereas a tax on bookmakers will be very complicated and practically unworkable, and would mean a host of officials. A further advantage is that only those who attend races—i.e., those really interested in racing, the sportsmen=get, a chance of betting. In Argentina, the " Pari-mutuel " has proved extremely profitable to the Government.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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