Gambling Made Easy The Daily Telegraph has done well to
call attention to the rapid growth of "Tote Clubs," which correspond to the old betting houses but operate, so far, within the law. When the Betting Control Board was set up, it was generally assumed that the Board alone would be entitled to set up totalisators, and that these machines would only be found on- racecourses. But a London club installed a totalisator for its members and, when prosecuted, won its case in the courts. Further, it has been decided that totalisators could be 'used for greyhound racing. Prompt advantage has been taken of these decisions. • There are now many "Tote Clubs," whose mernbeit attend. daily during the hours of the horse and dog races to bet with the totalisator. The clubs deduct 10 per cent, of the takings and profit -also by the sale of drink. They pay a registration fee of five shillings, and from the legal stand- point are irreproachable. But it is disquieting to think of the harm that they do to the men and women. for 'whom they make mechanical gambling still easier than ever. The regulation of clubs is xt. thorny subject, but clubs which merely exist for betting purposes can surely be differen- tiated from' the rest.
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