§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what share of the turnover of the off-course bookmaking industry was constituted by bets not made at starting prices in the last year for which figures are available. [50148]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe Home Office does not have figures on ante-post or early price fixed odds betting. However, betting on horserace pools accounted for less than 2 per cent. of off-course turnover in 1997.
§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used by local magistrates when determining applications for the opening of a licensed bookmaking office. [50155]
§ Mr. George HowarthUnder Schedule 1 to the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, an applicant to run a licensed betting office must first apply for a betting permit, obtainable if the magistrates are satisfied they are a fit and proper person, and the premises must comply with statutory access requirements.
The magistrates may refuse a licence if they are not satisfied that the premises are suitable or if they consider there are already sufficient betting offices in the locality to satisfy demand for betting facilities.