66 ON A^^D OFF THE TURF. 



a £200 to one dividend a bookmaker would have laid 

 these odds ; but I am certain the price against the 

 favourite in the same race, on the machine, would 

 be no better, if as good, as that laid by the book- 

 makers. 



Then, again, it is a desperate struggle at times to 

 obtain tickets on the totalisator, especially if it has 

 been left until the horses are at the post. As soon as 

 they are off, the machine is shut down, and there is no 

 chance of making a bit in running. 



I have seen a crowd of men and women strucrfrlinor 

 to get at the ticket-window, in much the same 

 manner they fight to gain admission to a London 

 pantomime on Boxing-night. The struggle is des- 

 perate at times. I once saw a lady lose a portion of 

 her attire in the fray, that necessitated her speedy 

 withdrawal from the public gaze. 



Considering the rush for tickets, the machines are 

 worked accurately. Any fractiou over on the divi- 

 dend, such as twopence or a halfpenny, is retained 

 by the club. If the dividend was £1 10s. 2Jd., the 

 club would retain the 2|d. I have been inside the 

 machines when in full work, so know exactly how 

 they are managed. I recollect on one race at Eagle 

 Farm a winner was disqualified, and the second 

 horse got the stakes, and of course the totalisator 

 paid over it. It was amusing to see people who had 

 taken tickets on the second horse and torn them up 



