asked the Minister for Finance to what purpose the proceeds of the excess charges imposed under the Totalisator Act upon bookmakers for admission to racecourses on which the totalisator is in operation are being devoted; further, if the Minister is aware that most of the Executives impose the maximum charge permitted under the Act; if he is further aware that according to the Report of the British Betting Control Board the proceeds of similar charges made on British racecourses are applied to purposes of racing, such as the assistance of the horse-breeding industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Racecourse Admission Fees.
Under the Totalisator Act the Executives of racecourses on which the totalisator is in operation are obliged to provide accommodation for licensed bookmakers and are limited as to the extent to which they may charge such bookmakers for admission. I understand that most of the Executives impose the maximum charge permitted under the Act. I have no information as to the purposes to which the proceeds of these charges are being devoted, but it is reasonable to assume that they are being devoted to the same purposes as the ordinary admission charges and that they thus contribute to the upkeep of horse racing. I am not aware that according to the Report of the British Betting Control Board the proceeds of similar charges made on British racecourses are applied to purposes of racing, such as the assistance of horse breeding: in fact it is stated in paragraph 22 of the Report of the Racecourse Betting Control Board for 1929 that it was agreed that the owners of racecourses should have free disposal of the funds received from the additional charges made by them to bookmakers.