In general, it appears that people making use of off- course betting centres do not necessarily patronise centres located in the area where they reside. The Jockey Club's experience is that people tend to bet near their place of work rather than in sub- urban residential areas, and that no specific effort in penetrating into public housing estate is required. The Director of Housing has reported that, according to survey conducted in 1977 among 2,400 individuals from 48 estates, only 14% respondents welcomed the setting up of off-course betting centre within estates, 43% objected, 22% expressed indifference and 21% offered no comment. In view of these observations, and the difficulties in finding suitable premises in the older housing estates, it is considered that no specific effort should be directed at locating off-course betting centres in public housing estates.
21
In view of public concern expressed in early 1978 at the number of off-course betting centres, it has been suggested that the Jockey Club be approached to reduce the number of these centres. This has not been pursued because it is felt that once the number of centres has been reduced, thus removing such legal facilities from within easy reach of existing punters, there is every indication that illegal bookmakers with their special offers such as credit betting, discount and smaller stakes (which they Jockey Club does not offer- Annex C), will soon become active again.
22
On the other hand, unlike the provision of ancillary facilities and services, there is no ready yardstick against which the level of provision of legal betting facilities and the correct number of off-course betting centres could be measured. In a discussion with the Secretary for Home Affairs in mid-October 1978, the Chairman and senior officials of the Jockey Club indicated that the number of off-course betting centres is unlikely to exceed the 1975/76 figures of 134 within the next few years and that new centres would only be established as a result of relocation of existing centres or in areas where provision of such facilities is considered essential in combatting illegal gambling.
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