WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1977
+FOR, QUITE APART FROM THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF STAKES THAT ARE LOST, THE SOCIETY BEGINS TO LOSE IN MAN-HOURS OF PRODUCTIVE WORK WHEN THE GAMBLER PUTS HIS MIND TO STUDYING THE TIPS AND SELECTING HIS BETS, + HE SAID,
+THERE IS REALLY NO ADVANTAGE IN LEGALISING GAMBLING, AS IS PROVEN BY THE INTRODUCTION OF OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRES TO COMPETE WITH THE ILLEGAL SYNDICATES. EVEN MORE HARMFUL WOULD BE THE
INTRODUCTION OF FANCIFUL PRIZES TO ENTICE GAMBLERS,+ HE POINTED
CUT.
DR. HU SAID IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE AIM OF THE BILL WAS TO CONTAIN GAMBLING WITHIN SENSIBLE LIMITS AND TO MINIMISE ITS EVILS.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT, THE SUCCESS OF THE BILL DEPENDED LARGELY ON ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
+AT PRESENT THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SUPPORTING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE BILL ESPECIALLY IN ELIMINATING ILLEGAL BOOKMAKING OR OFF-COURSE BETTING, HE SAID.
THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG EXPRESSED FEAR THAT THERE WOULD STILL BE A LACUNA IN HONG KONG'S LAWS EVEN THOUGH THE BILL WAS ENACTED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT DOG RACING FLOURISHED IN MACAU AND IT COMMANDED SUFFICIENT ATTENTION IN HONG KONG TO INDUCE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, CHINESE AND ENGLISH, TO DEVOTE MANY COLUMNS TO THE RUNNERS, THE IR FORM AND PROSPECTS.
YET, HE EMPHASISED, THERE WERE NO LEGITIMATE CHANNELS THROUGH WHICH WAGERS COULD BE LÁID.
+ I SUSPECT THAT A FAIR SIZED INDUSTRY EXISTS TO ACCEPT ILLEGAL BETS ON DOGS AND I WOULD ALSO SUSPECT THAT THE INDUSTRY RECEIVES CORRUPT PROTECTION. IT IS AN UNHEALTHY STATE OF AFFAIRS, MR.. CHEUNG SAID.
+AFTER THIS BILL HAS BEEN PASSED, HE POINTED OUT, +1 WOULD URGE GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE THIS PROBLEM IN SOME DEPTH, AND IN THE PROCESS GOVERNMENT MAY WISH TO CONSULT THOSE WITH KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF THESE MATTERS, THIS SUGGESTION HAS THE SUPPORT OF ALL MY UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES.+
REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, SAID THAT MR. LO AND MR. CHEUNG HAD RIGHTLY FACED UP TO THE PROBLEM OF BETTING ON MACAU'S DOG RACING AND ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO WATCH THE SITUATION CLOSELY WITH A VIEW TO REVIEW IF NECESSARY.