OCR Text |
Show Pari-mutual Betting Question Should Be Settled Once and for All With the Utah Racing Association's program of events for 1949 nearly completed, serious thought should be given to the matter of settling once and for all the question of pari-mutual betting at the race tracks of the state. Attempts At-tempts have been made to stop this type of betting at various var-ious meets throughout southern Utah, with the result that the racing programs in some instances have been practically prac-tically ruined ,but very little accomplished in the way of controlling betting or permanently settling the gambling question. Although it seems inconsistent to favor the legalizing of gambling in any form, we are of the opinion that it would be much better to permit pari-mutual betting, which allows the fan the privilege of risking a small bet on the outcome of the race, but puts it in a dignified, well regulated reg-ulated manner. If pari-mutuals are stopped and hor.e racing continues, we will go back to the old method of betting in the stands, with the usual arguments and bantering, ban-tering, the most objectionable thing that could be permitted per-mitted in any meet. It is difficult to understand why people who object to gambling and have gone to no end of trouble in their attempt at-tempt to stop pari-mutual betting, have done nothing toward to-ward stamping out the much worse practice of promiscuous promiscu-ous gambling in the crowds. They seriously object to someone placing a $2.00 bet at the pari-mutual window, but think nothing of a man risking $50.00 in a man to man side bet, and the latter type of betting is frequently accompanied ac-companied by arguments and undignified conduct of all types. The same people who object to the pari-mutual activity activi-ty seems to have no objection at all to raffles and lotteries lotter-ies conducted at the tracks, although lotteries are just as much in violation of the law. Race meets cannot continue the way they have this summer, with so much uncertainty surrounding the proceedings. pro-ceedings. Those who have conducted race meets maintain that they cannot be successful without pari-mutual booths, and therefore the people of Utah must decide whether whe-ther they want to abandon racing or legalize betting. Certainly Cer-tainly we should not continue under conditions that have prevailed during the present racing season. |