30 OCTOBER 1926, Page 3

The duty on bets made at an office will be

3} per cent. of the stake ; on the course or else- where it will be 2 per cent. Bookmakers are the quickest mental arithmeticians alive, and, directly or indirectly, this 2 per cent. will come from the backers. The licences and certificates will, we hope, purge the profession rather than give " status " to unworthy members. The effect on illegal street betting is doubtful and must be watched. There is no doubt that those who from folly or interested motives prophesied the end of racing next week will be confounded. We heard the same prophecies after Mr. Justice Hawkins's definition of a " place within the meaning of the Act."

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