Evening star., 1939-12-24

the new YORK racing picture Is the new
York State Racing Commission itself,
consisting of the writer, John Hay Whit
ney and John Sloan. 1t was created in
1884 when racing in the State was almost
at the vanishing point, and in its ad-
ministration of the sport since then has
kept it free from politics and clean.
1t recognizes that pari-mutuel betting
is not perfect betting system. but that
it is the best that has yet been devised.
It will make number Of recommended
tions to the Legislature when that body
convenes in January to pass an enabling
law which will make the recent racing
amendment workable. Among them will
be that admission prices to race tracks
be kept reasonably high; that free passes
be limited or eliminated by law; and
that the take" or percentage OF wagered
money going to the State and tracks, be
kept within just and reasonable limits.
The commission has been informed
that it will be consulted when the matter
comes before the Legislature. And it
believes that if an unjust or foolish
law should be submitted to Gov. Lehman
he will refuse to approve it. He has,
throughout the existence of the Racing
Commission, given it his fullest support
in its efforts to make racing what it
ought to be.
Restriction on Betting.
The recent amendment restricts race
track betting to horse racing, which
automatically excludes dog racing from
New York. Of -the-course (poolroom)
betting has never been countenanced in
New York and remains as illegal as ever
under the amendment. Poolrooms are
always hard to fight for the reason that
they shift constantly under different
names and managements. But as they
pay no part of the expense of racing,
war upon them has always been un-
renitting The commission believes
that with the State made a virtual
partner Of the racetracks by the intro
duction of the pari-mutuel system their
existence will be made doubly precarious
by the constant vigilance of local and
State police.
When pari-mutuel betting goes into
operation it will resolve at least one
question which has puzzled racing au.
thorities for many years. That is the
question Of how much money. actually,
is bet at New York courses every year.
Various figures have been asserted by
men sufficiently on the inside to make
plausible estimates. But they do not
agree within from s3o0Oo,OOO to $40
100000. The bookmakers, with their
anomalous standing before the law. are
not required to file reports or statements
with any public officer or bureau.
But as basis for speculation. the
figures of other racing States are worth
consideration. In round figures s66 ,OO0,-
600 was bet in California last year, $34,.
100000 in Florida, s39 100000 in Illinois,
29,000,0OO in Maryland, $27,000,0OO in
Massachusetts, and SIS 900 900 in Rhode
Island. California had 258 racing days,
Florida 96, Illinois l57, Maryland 90,
Massachusetts, 80 and Rhode Island SO.
Less than half of CALIFORNIA; racing
days, however, were at its major tracks.
Increase Is Predicted.
New York this year had ITS racing
days. 1t is not at all unreasonable to
believe that New York bets somewhere
between $5o,000000 and $50 1000, 900. And
that undoubtedly. though the pari-
mutuel system will never increase its
attendance and wagering into the FAM
tastic figures suggested from some quar-
tiers, the system will nevertheless in
crease both attendance and wagering
so that both will be considerably greater
than heretofore. The State last year
derived just less than $500, 900 from rae
ing taxes, and wholly in tax levied on
gate admissions. But the other leading
racing States in the order as given before
and all under the parimutuel system
derived; California, s2,667,142; Florida,
I,1Se,5l1; Illinois, s553,718; Massachu-
sets, 1924 ,548; Maryland, 1868 ,225, and
Rhode Island, 1882, $780,
1t is a curious fact also that the
earnings from racing in various States
add up, very roughly, to about 81 head
for each person going to the races within
the year. New York's attendance last
year was close to million and half
1,494,932 to be exact At the lowest
estimate the State, under pari-mutuel
betting, would have taken nearly three
times what it did. And If the mutuel
system brings the attendance up only
another milion-which New York can
absorb with ease-the States share under
mutuel betting should come close to i've
times what 1t has been up to now.
New York's Racing Commission has
recommended, ever since pari-mutuel
betting became probable, that this State
should be content with modest take"
In States generally throughout the coun-
try the State usually takes per cent
and the track per cent of all money
wagered New York's Racing Commits
sion believes that New York's figures
should be lower than generally elsewhere
about 3ls per cent rising to per cent
to the State and Az per cent or per
cent to the track; or total of per cent
in all, instead of 10 per cent as generally
elsewhere.