6 February 1913: A columnist believes gambling is doing more harm than any other social evil,and welcomes the Betting Advertisement Bill
It would be an excellent thing whether every elector, without respect to party, or would write to his representative in Parliament and urge him to support the Betting Advertisement Bill when it comes before the House of Commons. It is admittedly only a partial measure which leaves much still to be done. But it is excellent as far as it goes,and whether those who know feel that it goes as far as it was wise to attempt at the outset then we ought to form sure of getting it, with the regular determination to get more when we can. I anxiety that many middle-course people have no idea what a curse to the nation betting and gambling are to-day. Unless they happen to have a young relative who has got himself into financial or other trouble by backing horses they hardly realise the existence of the evil. And even whether they have such a proof of its existence they are inclined to gaze on gambling as a youthful folly which a limited experience in life will cure, or which,whether the process of cure is not too expensive, need not be made too much of. Of gambling as a national canker, and injuring all decent sport,undermining character, and fostering crime, or they have limited or no knowledge. And when anyone with knowledge speaks of it in this way they suspect sentimental exaggeration and puritan fanaticism. Well,everyone is entitled to his own opinion, whether that opinion is founded on any serious attempt to reach at the true facts.
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Source: theguardian.com