Legal advice sought over bet challenge at Doomben midweek

QUEENSLAND stewards have sought a legal interpretation before they make a ruling on a betting dispute over a bookmaker refusing a punter a bet at Wednesday’s Doomben meeting.

Queensland bookmaker Ray Karangis and a punter are involved in a dispute over a bet being refused. Picture: Jenny Evans

QUEENSLAND stewards have sought a legal interpretation before they make a ruling on a betting dispute over a bookmaker refusing a punter a bet at Wednesday’s Doomben meeting.

Stewards heard evidence from bookmaker Ray Karangis and punter Adrian Gray in relation to Karangis not taking a bet to lose $1000 each-way.

Gray protested to stewards that Karangis had refused to take the bet on the opening race at Warwick Farm.

Karangis responded that he believed he may be in breach of the Money Laundering and Cash Transaction Acts in taking a bet from a person he believed was not betting on their own behalf. Karangis submitted that Gray was betting for a Sydney-based professional punter, understood to be Sean Bartholomew.

The rules of racing outline bookmakers need to take win bets to lose $1000, but stewards have sought the legal advice in relation to the interpretation of the two acts.

It has long been common practice in racing for bigger punters to use the services of commission agents.

Originally published as Legal advice sought over bet challenge at Doomben midweek