Evening star., 1937-02-14
WAGER|NCONNAGS.
D. K. IN 26 STATES.
Ten Others, D. C. Seek Laws
That Would Clean Money
From Turf Sport.

mat W0ul0 GIedn money
From Turf Sport.
BY ORLO ROBERTSON.
n YEW YORK, February IS P)-
nj Spreading like prairie fire
VI the last few years, betting on
L horse racing now is legal in
as States, with legislative bodies Of
10 other States and the District Of
Columbia contemplating action which
would permit pari-mutuel wagering.
/ Actually less than 20 States derive
profits from the sport, but the others
have laws which would permit them
to collect were race meets held within
their boundaries. All except New
York have pari-mutuels, which allots
the State percentage of the money
wagered. The Empire State takes its
share from the gate receipts.
The States in which bills already
have been introduced. or probably will
before the Legislatures adjourn, in
clude Pennsylvania, Indiana. Missouri,
Wisconsin, New Jersey, Utah. Tennes-
see, Colorado. wyoming and Idaho.
The New York Legislature also has
before it a bill which would permit
pari-mutuel betting.
No Go in New Jersey
IN SEVERAL of the States similar
= bills have been introduced in the
past, only to be defeated. Supporters
of the proposals have met frequent
setbacks in New Jersey. A resolution,
which must be approved by two sue
cessive Legislatures before it can be
submitted to the voters. passed the
1884 Legislature and the 1885 As
sembly, but the Senate failed to ap-
prove 1t.
Missouri has had racing for several
years at Riverside Park. near Kansas
City, but all efforts to legalize betting
have failed The closest bill came
to passing was in 1885, when it got
past both houses only to be vetoed by
the Governor.
In Colorado six bills have been in
troduced. with virtually all of them
providing for all revenues to be used
for old-age pension payments. The
defeat of the resolution before the
Utah Legislature, which would re-
strict betting to county fairs and
30-day meeting at Salt Lake City. is
considered certain in view Of the
strong religious influence opposed to
the sport.
Sees $4,000, 900 for d. C.
~ xrrt,;
legalized betting in the District
Of Columbia have been introduced IN
both the House and Senate. In ad-
dition, Representative Frank w. Boy
kin Of Alabama would have the Gov
eminent slap per cent tax on all
money bet on the horses. He esti-
mates that his bill would bring in
$4,000, 900 revenue annually.
Although Louisiana receives only q
comparatively small return from the
sport at the Fair Grounds, wagering
has been legal in New Orleans longer
than in any other city in the coun-
try-since 1903.
Kentucky, home Of many of the
country's largest breeding farms, has
had legalized betting nearly 80 years.
while Maryland approved Of pari-
mutuek rs years ago. The others are
comparatively newcomers. The sport
was outlawed in New York in 1908. but
came back four years later. Until
1885 it was not legal, however.
In contrast, Virginia, famous for its
horses since pre-Revolutionary War
days, has repeatedly turned thumbs
down on any proposal which would
lesalize betting.
New Mexico Gains Nothing.
NEW MEXICO. the Nations fourth
largest State, with less than a half
million people, approved pari-mutuel
betting in 1888, but has never realized
one cent from the bill. Lovers Of
orsenesh-successors to the Span
ish dons who ruled over spacious
haciendas and huge ranches in the
past centuries-say that when the
measure was adopted some Texas rae
ing magnate planned to erect q plant
In the southern part Of the State near
Il Paso, Tex. But soon afterward
the Lone Star State legalized betting
and the Texan stayed at home.
The North Carolina General As
senbly in 1888 gave the counties the
right to approve betting. but only
one, Polk, authorized the machines.
Faced with court threats and with
sponsors admitting the act probably
would be declared unconstitutional, |
Polk County has not followed up its
action.
Texas. where hand bookmakers are
rampant, is confronted with two bills |
which would kill the betting law.
There also is a possibility that the |
bookmakers will be licensed, as will |
also wires into the tracks used for |
handling comeback" money. Cali |
fornia also would license its bookmak-
ers, while similar action is con-
States Want More.
NUMEROUS other resolutions con-
= y fronting the various Legislatures
eall for increasing of the States |
take" severe penalties for tampering |
with horses and enlarging and |
Strengthening Of racing commissions.
States in which betting has been |
legalized in one form or the other:
Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Ne
braska, Arkansas, South Dakota, Mary
land, Maine, Illinois, West Virginia,
Louisiana, Ohio, North Carolina, New |
Hampshire, Massachusetts,. Rhode Is
land, Illinois, Michigan, Florida, New |
York, Kentucky, California, Washing
ton, Oregon, Montana and Delaware.
TOP Weight Is GIVEN |