A Short Bookmaking History in WAHarness & Greyhounds

Chariotsonfire

This topic was raised under the Howard Porter Memorial thread and I thought I would give it a life of its own.

When the Greyhounds first introduced Bookmakers in 1976 after trying to go tote only some 12 months earlier, 16 bookmakers plus emergencies were appointed. Three bookmakers came from the Races in Ron Archer, Geoff McPhee and Ian Elliott.. The others were mainly first time operators. Kingsley Sanford was an emergency in the first appointments.

As previously mentioned dual licenses were not allowed until many years later as the Race Bookmakers did not want them.  I campaigned with the assistance of the Australian Bookmakers Association (all other states had dual licenses) and the Government eventually approved the transition.

When I obtained my trot license in 1977 I attended country meetings (TAB and Non TAB) all around the state before getting a berth at GP. At that time there were 24 bookmakers at GP and when I handed in my license there was only two left.

When telephone betting on course was introduced it was hoped that it would be the savior of bookmakers but in actually fact it hastened their demise along with the opening of the Casino. The Casino had a much greater affect on the trots than the races due to the night time attraction and we lost a large number of Asian punters.

Prior to obtaining my Greyhound license I worked in the Bank of New South Wales and also ran a restricted TAB Agency at Lancelin. I had to divest the TAB Agency before I could apply for a bookmaker's license. I was still in the Bank when a story appeared in the West listing the newly appointed Greyhound Bookmakers. I thought it was appropriate to resign from the Bank before being forced to do so.

savethegame

Chariots you must have been on the canvas early days. From Dec. 77 to June 78. 33 metropolitan meetings run 121 first favourites won also 53 second favourites won from 260 races 67 percent. it cost 575 per man a meeting.

Markovina

Greyhounds and Bookmakers hey , probably went to Cannington about 4 times i suppose , this is a long time ago 40-45 years ago , they still had a grass track . Grant Langston was the State leading trainer , one day he just said thats it im finished with it , and i dont think he ever came back 

Any how there was this was this Bookie at Cannington , i saw him a couple of times i reckon he was 50-55 years of age , never saw him once at GP or country trots or Ascot gallops interstate ring , i didnt frequent the local gallops ring , but cant remember seeing him their either 

Now this is 45 years ago approx , thus you were young , so you did what young people did . Mid Sunday afternoon , with friends i would have gone say half a dozen times to Steves at Nedlands . Music , drinks , big mob their , and it was definitely a young persons scene , age demographic i would suggest 30 and under 

Anyhow i was down their one Sundaty afternoon , and i can still picture this now , 3-4 metres away from  where we were all standing and trying to mingle in with the crowd , hell and behold it was that Bookmaker from Cannington !!!

Two things immediately stood out , his Grey hair , but worse than that , he was on the hustle , he was on the prowl , and like i say he would have been pushing 50-55 years of age , who would of that been Chariots 

Come on Chariots , tell us which member of your esteemed profession that would have been.

savethegame

Marko Old bookie from dogs still bets strong I thought he was old man  grey hair 40 years ago Ken Harris has to be in his eighties 

Chariotsonfire

Marko, sorry I can't help you with the identity of that bookie.

Definitely not me as I was married with two kids before I got my license.

SLIPPERGOLDEN

The only bookie I recall from Cannington who just fielded at the Dogs was Bill Weir. Probably not the person referenced though.

Bushbookie

How many bookies fielding at just Perth meetings these days and how many bookies doing the country meetings .