Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Wednesday 18 July 1928

“A Hopeless Position.”

Magistrate’s Comments on the Betting Laws.

A number of betting cases were yesterday heard by the Doncaster West Riding magistrates, and the Chairman, Mr. G. E. Cooke- Yarborough, passed some scathing remarks about the ridiculous position created tho betting laws.

Only nominal fines of 40s. and 20s. were imposed on Joseph William Morris, licensed bookmaker, of 23, Orchard Street, Goldthorpe, for keeping a betting house. John Calderbank and Evelyn Calderbank for assisting in the management; Larrett Beevers. a Goldthorpe bookmaker, for keeping a betting house. Arthur Beevers for assisting, and Rose Beevers for permitting the offence; Samuel Dryden, Doncaster bookmaker, for keeping a betting house, John Hawley Dryden, for a similar offence, and John Nichol for assisting.

The Chairman remarked that the Government licensed bookmakers to carry on what was described as a legitimate business, and collected percentage from them. They also took a percentage tor an illegal business. The Government knew it was illegal and they asked for accounts to be rendered and collected taxes on illegal takings.

The bookmaker found himself difficult position, as also did the magistrates and the police. Something would have to done alter the law’, he added. These defendants had each taken out licences, paid their taxes and otherwise carried on their business properly, but they were brought the police court because their business was illegal in law though recognised by the Government.

“We are getting into a hopeless position,” concluded the Chairman.