Stewards investigating on-course bookmaker who refused bet
QUEENSLAND stewards are investigating a betting dispute after on-course bookmaker Ray Karangis refused to accept a $200 each-way bet at Doomben on Wednesday.
Punter Adrian Gray is well-known to bookmakers for placing bets on behalf of professional punter Sean Bartholomew, but when Gray wanted to place his own bet on the races, Karangis denied him on the belief that he was in breach of the Money Laundering and Cash Transaction Act.
Gray claims that Karangis accused him of laundering money.
“He used the line that I’m laundering money, effectively calling me a criminal,” Gray said.
“He claimed he took a $20,000 bet earlier in the day, but wouldn’t take my $200 each-way bet.”
Gray stated that the bet was his and he wasn’t placing a bet on behalf of anyone else. Gray says that every bookmaker is aware of who he is and accepts his bets.
“Every other bookie complies,” he said. “When I informed the steward he ordered Karangis to accept the bet, but because the race had jumped there was nothing that could be done.”
Gray wanted to bet on Ebenos in the opening race at Warwick Farm, which subsequently finished second and would have secured Gray a $60 profit.
“I don’t care about the money in this case, it’s a matter of principle,” Gray said.
“Punters are being treated poorly because bookmakers think they can get away with it.
“Bookies are often claiming they have it the toughest of anyone but by refusing such a small bet they might as well not even be there.”
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