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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Tote
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(Horserace Totalisator Board) Government organization established in 1929 to take the public's bets at racecourses. The intention was to channel the profits back to racing rather than into the pockets of the private bookmakers. For serious punters it has traditionally had little appeal because it is run on the pool system (like the football *pools), meaning that individual winnings depend on how many other people have placed the same bet. The bookmakers' starting price system (by which the punter knows what he will collect and there is always the chance of the bookie losing a fortune) is considered a more challenging gamble. Since 1989 the Tote has accepted off-course telephone bets at starting prices.
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