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Wednesday, November 28, 1973
STRONG SUPPORT FOR LEGALISING OFF-COURSE BETTING
Unofficial members of the Legislative Council have expressed
strong support for the government's decision to permit the Royal Hong Kong
Jockey Club to operate off-course betting on horse races.
Speaking on behalf of his unofficial colleagues on the Betting
Duty (Amendment) Bill 1973, the Hon. Szeto Wai described the move as
"sensible" and said it was an anomaly that off-course betting should
remain illegal when betting at the race course was legal.
Unless and until some proper method was devised of legalising
off-course batting, the present illegal betting would continue, he said,
"I agree therefore and my unofficial colleagues go along
with me
that the provisions of this Bill represent a sensible approach
to the problem by providing proper facilities whereby all those who wish
to place a bet on the horses can do so under properly supervised conditions."
Mr. Szeto felt that the majority of the community were not
opposed to taking this sensible step which, after all, did no more than
recognise the facts of the situation.
Furthermore, he added, the Bill did not seek to introduce any
new form of gambling.
The Bill will enable the Jockey Club to conduct off-course
totalizator or pari-mutual betting on horse races organised by the Club.
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