THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1976
GOVERNMENT EXPLAINS GAMBLING POLICY ******
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY GOVERNMENT'S POLICY ON GAMBLING IS TO REDUCE FORMS OF RAMPANT ILLEGAL GAMBLING THAT EXPLOIT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE MEANS OF CONTROL ADOPTED IS TO PROVIDE LEGAL AND WELL- CONTROLLED CENTRES RUN BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WHERE PUNTERS MAY PLACE THEIR BETS.
+ IN ADDITION TO SAFEGUARDING THE INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS POLICY HAS ALLOWED THE POLICE TO CONCENTRATE ON MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN, +AND IS ALREADY HAVING A POSITIVE EFFECT ON REDUCING ILLEGAL GAMBLING.+
MANY OFF-COURSE, BETTING CENTRES HAVE BEEN SET UP IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS WHERE DEMAND FOR THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB IS THE GREATEST. IT IS TO BE EXPECTED THAT ILLEGAL GAMBLING ACTIVITY WILL INCREASE IN POPULATED AREAS WHERE CONTROLLED CENTRES DO NOT EXIST. ·
REFERRING TO THE SITE ORIGINALLY ALLOCATED FOR A BETTING CENTRE IN KO CHIU ROAD ESTATES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID +FOLLOWING THE ADVICE OF UMELCO AND TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE FACT THAT A KINDERGARTEN ADJOINS THE PREMISES IT WILL BE SUGGESTED TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY THAT THIS PARTICULAR SITE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR THIS PURPOSE.+
THE PROBLEM OF COMBATTING PRESENT AND POTENTIAL ILLEGAL GAMBLING STILL REQUIRES SOME CONTROLLED BETTING OUTLETS IN EVERY CENTRE OF POPULATION.
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