Up to $5k fine, 6 months jail for public gambling- Gaming & Betting Act
This means that cockfighting for money, a traditional and popular form of gambling practised in many Caribbean countries, including the Virgin Islands, if done in the streets or any public space, is now an offence that is liable on summary conviction to a fine or imprisonment.
It should be noted that cockfighting was always deemed illegal in the Virgin Islands since it was considered cruelty to animals and contravened the Protection of Animals Act.
Public betting prohibited
Gazetted on August 20, 2020, section Section 73. (1) of the act states, "Any person frequenting or loitering in a street or public place, on behalf either of himself or herself or of any other person, for the purposes of bookmaking, betting, agreeing to bet or paying, receiving or settling bets commits an offence."
That offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5000), the act further noted.
Conviction could also mean a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both a fine and term of imprisonment should the person be found guilty of public gambling.
Immediately arrest of persons
Further, section 73. (2) of the act noted that officers can also arrest persons found committing the offence without a warrant, and also seize items.
"An authorised officer may take into custody without warrant, a person found committing an offence under this section, and may seize and detain any article found in his or her possession which the authorised officer has reasonable cause to believe may be required as evidence for the purposes of proceedings in respect of such offence."
Doorways and entrances of premises abutting upon, and any ground adjoining and open to a street will also be treated as forming part of the street, meaning, they are also classified as public spaces.
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40 Responses to “Up to $5k fine, 6 months jail for public gambling- Gaming & Betting Act”
Sad!
And the politician helping them expats friends more than locals. Next election me not voting a shit!
what a horrible reality you exist in if you think the only things in life are torturing dumb animals for dumb humans' pleasure. You never heard of the joy of music, of dancing, of real sports, of sailing or surfing or scuba diving? You never thought about the pleasure to be gained from helping others and serving the community? Consider gardening and growing and nurturing the Earth or reading and studying. If the only joy you think is possible is watching one animal rip another animal to shreds you are a sorry, pathetic and small minded person.
Government tryin band everything dat keep young ppl occupy
Da goin force we to really b out here robbing and killing
B prepared for ur house tyo get run up in
Politics is a true BVI blood sport!
All the PR lottery ticket sales ladies will need to be fined or locked up too if caught in public.
what about police enforcing and fining quarrentine and curfew breakers...not happened has it.
smoke and mirrors. they just idle threats. government slipping downhill fast... forgetting the people and friends who put them there.
nonsense. !