Chief-Constable of Southampton.—“Street betting is a disgrace to the town. One man is making £1000 a year by it.”
Birmingham Official Receiver.—“Half of the bankruptcies which come before me are due to gambling.”
General Wavell.—“I have been speaking to an officer, who says it is perfectly piteous to see the way our young soldiers, drummer boys, trumpeters, and others rush off to get the halfpenny newspapers, not to ascertain how their comrades are faring, but simply to get the betting odds and nothing else.”
Bradford School Board Resolution.—“The attention of the Board having been called to the general prevalence of betting and gambling, and the appalling evils arising therefrom, it is hereby resolved that the teachers be requested to take every opportunity to point out to the scholars the injurious effect of the vice.”
Mr. Curtis Bennett (Marylebone Police Court).—“I am convinced from my experience as a Magistrate that nothing is so productive of crime among young people as street betting. It is an evil far worse than drunkenness, and I agree with Mr. Justice Wills that it is the greatest curse of this country.”
Chairman of Croydon Bench.—“It seems a very good paying game. I think the Government, as soon as they have time, will have to take into consideration whether the law should not be altered.” These remarks were called forth by a bookmaker who had been summoned, producing a handful of sovereigns, and suggesting that it would save time for him to pay the fine at once without the evidence being heard.
Luton Town Councillors:—
Alderman Oakley, J.P.—“The Watch Committee reports show that betting is much on the increase. It is even affecting school children.”
Alderman Dillinghan.—“It breaks up many homes and leads people to rob their employers. It is the forerunner of drunkenness.”
The Deputy Mayor.—“It is a grave temptation.”