" FOOTBALL POOL PROBLEMS"
Stn,—May we congratulate you on publishing the excellent article on football pool problems by Kenneth Bradshaw? We are aware of the strange apathy towards commercialised gambling that exists in this country, especially towards football pools. In association with Mass- Observation, we are concluding the first social survey of all forms of gambling in this country. Our report, which will be published shortly, will, for the first time, place on record the statistics of commercialised gambling, and, we hope, the reasons why it has become such an essential part of our social structure. We know that participation in football pools is not considered an act of betting or gambling. Rather it is considered by the majority of participants as a family recreation, which may, given that stroke of luck, provide an addition free of tax to the family income. It is not our intention to suggest proposals for the abolition of commercialised gambling at this stage. We shall do that when we can produce the evidence to support our proposals. It would appear that action must take place along two distinct lines. Firstly, the curbing of commercialised gambling by State intervention, or control. Secondly, the development of alternative attractions which will provide a more creative use of leisure. Modern industrial technology has produced a new type of society. We have yet to see whether we can adapt our social living to retain the stability necessary for human satisfactions and ordered development.—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, H. C. Latirrox.
Secretary, National League for Education Against Gambling.
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