HC Deb 29 June 1966 vol 730 cc1819-20

4.23 p.m.

Mr. Albert Roberts (Normanton)

I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require persons receiving and negotiating bets on certain sporting events to obtain the authority of the promoters thereof; and for purposes connected therewith. I appreciate the opportunity to move this Motion since I realise that there is such a lot of important business to follow. I will be brief.

I consider that my proposed Bill is very important for the nation, and I commend it to the House. It would help to tidy up some of our betting laws, such as the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1963, which consolidated the provisional Betting and Gaming Act, 1960, and the Betting Levy Act, 1961. Since those days, the attitude of the people to betting has changed considerably. There has been an upsurge in betting. Betting took place on the General Election. All that I seek to do in my proposed Bill is to tidy up some of our gaming Acts.

At present, if an athletics association promotes an athletics meeting, there is nothing to prevent a bookmaker from making a book at the meeting. Before being allowed to do so, he should get the permission from the organisation concerned. I am very interested in bowls. I have been bowling in the North of England. When bowls competitions reach the final stage, there is a certain amount of betting. It is only right and proper in this day and age that if an organisation, with its continuing expenses, wishes to prohibit betting on its events, it should be able to do so. I do not wish to take any right from bookmakers. All that I seek to do is to make provision for arrangements to be made between the sponsors of sporting events and bookmakers.

I can say categorically that, in principle, the Bill has the support of the M.C.C., Rugby Union, athletics organisations and greyhound racing. I under- stand that the horse racing and football authorities have their own arrangements with pool promoters. I feel that sponsors of the sports which I have mentioned, and indeed any sport, should be allowed to hold meetings without any interference from bookmakers unless they come to some arrangement with them. If they allow them to make a book on a certain event, that is all right. It is a question not of financial considerations, but of seeking permission.

The proposed Bill is very simple. It is precise and has been well drafted. I hope that it will have the support of the House. If we do what the Bill proposes, we shall be doing a justice to all those interested in sport. I have referred to a number of sporting activities, and I could mention a few more. The important thing is that the proposed Bill has general support. I hope that the House will give it all the backing it can so that we can tie up some of the loose ends.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. Albert Roberts, Mr. Bernard Conlan, Mr. Brian Harrison, Mr. John Farr, Mr. Charles Morrison, Mr. Gordon A. T. Bagier, Mr. David Ensor, Mr. Garrett, Mr. J. E. B. Hill, Mr. Ben Ford, and Mr. Edwin Wainwright.