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GERMANY MAY LICENSE BOOKMAKERS V telegram from Berlin to the Daily Chronicle says The bookmaker question is one which has long agitated German sporting circles For the last 30 years bookmaking according to the strict letter of the law is verboten like so many things in Ihe Fatherland yet the profession has contrived to run its business and to prosper to n fair extent In every second beershop in bairdressing saloons and tobacconists establishments bets subrosa are made madeNow Now the whole nosltion is about to be changed The government lias been considering the matter and a bill has been drafted which will be laid before parliament In Germany as in France the pari inutuel system is in vogue and the government at present taxes all transactions on that machine to the extent of about 10 per cent On the Berlin race courses last year it is reckoned that the total business amounted to 30000000 marks 7500000 Now It is proposed to reduce the tax to 12 per cent Of that the state will take half the other 0 per cent will go to the various rennvereine or racing associations for the purposes of horse breeding breedingTh6 Th6 government hopes to lose no revenue by the decrease as the bookmaker tax will preserve and possibly increase the amount that the state receives As to the bookmakers the bill provides for the recognition of a certain number in each large town The figure is to be fixed according to the popula ¬ tion tionWhen When betting with a bookmaker cash must be paid and the smallest amount that can be put on for a win or place will it is proposed be five marks This fivemark minimum is not popular in sporting circles In fixing it the state is no doubt taking a fraternal interest in the person of moderate means whom it does not wish to encourage to bet but it is argued on the other hand that such a restriction will have the result of making him a customer of the unregistered iKokmaker whom It Is not advisable to encourage
