Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Gambling Regulation Act 2003 - SECT 2.5.8.

Prohibition on betting in public places

2.5.8. Prohibition on betting in public places



(1) A person must not frequent, use or be in a public place for the purpose of
any money or valuable thing being received by or promised to the person or any
other person on the person's behalf as or for the consideration for-

   (a)  any undertaking to pay or give thereafter any money or valuable thing
        on the result of a sporting event; or

   (b)  securing the paying or giving by some other person of any money or
        valuable thing on the result of a sporting event.

(2) A bookmaker must not bet with another person in a public place, whether in
person or by means of any agent, clerk or employee.

(3) An agent, clerk or employee of a bookmaker must not bet with a person in a
public place.







(4) A person who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) is guilty of an
offence.

Penalty: 60 penalty units if it is the defendant's first relevant offence and
the Court is satisfied that, at the time of the offence, the value of all bets
held by the person receiving the bets was less than $500; In any other case-

   (a)  for a first relevant offence, 100 penalty units or imprisonment for 3
        months or both;

   (b)  for a second relevant offence, 250 penalty units or imprisonment for 6
        months or both;

   (c)  for a third or subsequent relevant offence, 1000 penalty units or
        imprisonment for 2 years or both.

(5) In subsection (4) relevant offence means an offence against subsection (4)
or section 2.5.2, 2.5.45 or 2.6.1 or an offence against a law of another State
or Territory that would, if committed in Victoria, be an offence against
subsection (4).

(6) A person betting in a public place with a person to whom subsection (1),
(2) or (3) applies-

   (a)  is not, for that reason, aiding and abetting the commission of an
        offence against subsection (4); and

   (b)  is guilty of an offence against this subsection.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.