Interpretation

In force

In this Act, except where the subject matter or context or some other provision requires a different construction—

bet or make a bet means—

(a)

make or negotiate a bet whether by spoken word, writing, signal, gesture or any other direct or indirect means and whether with or for money or any valuable thing or by cash or under any credit arrangement; or

(b)

receive, pay or give money or any valuable thing in connection with a bet; or

(c)

settle a bet, and betting has a corresponding meaning;

bookmaker includes a bookmaker's agent;

loiter means to idle or linger about;

occupier in relation to occupiers of any house, office, room, or place used for a purpose forbidden by this Act means the owner, occupier, or keeper of any house, office, room, or place, or any person using the same, or any person procured or employed by or acting for or on behalf of the owner, occupier, or keeper, or person using the same, or any person having the care or management, or in any manner conducting the business thereof;

place means any house, office, room, tent, ship, building, erection, road, street, thoroughfare, alley, right-of-way (either public or private), and all land (whether public or private) enclosed or otherwise;

public place means—

(a)

every public place; and

(b)

every place to which the public are permitted to have access tacitly or otherwise and whether on payment of money or not; and

(c)

any premises in respect of which a licence granted under the

Liquor Licensing

Act 1997 is in force; and

(d)

any shop, and any part of a building occupied in connection with, or for the purposes of, a shop; and

(e)

any factory, and the appurtenances of any factory;

and

(f)

any building or place occupied by any club (whether a racing club or not), and the appurtenances of that building or place; and

(g)

any place commonly used by the public whether as trespassers or otherwise;

street means every public street, thoroughfare, private street, or road commonly used by or to which the public are permitted to have access;

unlawful gaming means—

(a)

the playing at or engaging in any game with cards or other instruments, or with money, in or as the result of which game any person or persons derives or is intended to derive (other than in his or her capacity as a player) any part or percentage of any money or thing played for, staked, or wagered; and

(ab)

the playing at or engaging in a game of poker in a public place (provided that the regulations may prescribe circumstances in which playing at or engaging in a game will or will not constitute unlawful gaming for the purposes of this paragraph); and

(b)

any contravention of or failure to observe any provision of this

Act, whether that provision relates to unlawful gaming as defined in paragraphs (a) and (ab) or not.

Regulations

This provision refers to the regulations (the regulations may prescribe). Made under this Act:

Gaming Offences Regulations 2021

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4 Interpretation