The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-16

The laws of the empire state prohibit
betting That means that no pari- mutuel
machines or bookmakers stalls make
their appearance at the race courses. But
any body that wants to bet at one of
these race tracks when the horses are
running can do so. All he needs to do
is 10 get an introduction to one of the
layers who operate-and then he can
bet as high and as lofty as he wishes.
RING" CONTROLS BETTING
The very fact that public betting is
barred and that a ring controls the
making of odds in the New York district
has made beating the races almost an
impossibility. Back in the old days, when
each bookmaker was out for himself,
there was considerable competition. Each
bookie in an effort to attract trade,
would offer some rather Juicy" prices.
The result was that odds-on favorites
were rarities and that prices eminenuy
fair. were offered to the public
But nowadays delegation of the lay
erx'' FIX the prices They look over the
entries and, determining that a horse is
q legitimate 2-to-1 shot, they quote some
thing like to against that horse. II a
horse Is a l0-to-1 shot-judged by the
standard of the old days, the bly, lay
ers'' will quote him at 6 to l or to l.
The percentage always has been in favor
Of the bookmaker in laying odds. But
under the present system of betting the
layers not only take the ordinary per-
centage in their favor, but cut legitimate
odds.
As result of this, patrons frequently
have won three races in six and lost on
the day, although their bet on each race
has been the same sum. In the old days
il usually happened that when a man
beat three races out Of six he went home
a winner.
Under the present system of betting
on the New York tracks everything is in
favor of the layer" The general public
hasn't a real chance. The Introduction
of pari-mutuel machines. where the wa
gering of the public regulates the odds.
would be far fairer proposition for
all concerned.
The main objection to pari-mutuel ma
chimes, in the minds of some, is the fact
that the take" is so tremendous that the
racing association would be enriched by
millions. That is true-if the present rate
of percentage allowed in Maryland should
govern the tracks in New York. But it
needn't.
Laurel closed meeting recently where
the racing associations share OF the
take" Appropriated close TO s75000o for
81 days. The law allows 6 per cent of
the total money bet on each race to go
into the hands of the racing associations
to defray expenses. The association also
gets the 'breakage," which means the odd
pennies.
The average sum Of money bet daily
at Laurel on the seven races was $4,000.
That means $35, 900 a dav for the track
owners. 1t is pointed out that at least
100000 would be the normal bet in New
York for seven races and that the take
would total $4,000 OF course, such a
rakeoff for the race track owners would
be entirely too much But if per cent
was fixed as the maximum it would be
a fair deal all around.
The installation of pari-mutuel ma
chimes in the race tracks of New York
would give track owners some extra
money which they could use to fatten
the purses Bigger purses mean more
money for owners of winning horses. The
mutuels would give the betting patrons
of the park a fair deal-something that
is denied them in these days when they
are in the grip of ring of layers"
who quote odds only about half the
legitimate size.