MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A 22-year-old British man has been charged by police with a gambling-related offense at the Australian Open.
A Victoria state police statement Wednesday said the man was arrested for a form of court-side betting that involves placing bets on point outcomes during a match. The statement said the man was observed by police on Tuesday at Melbourne Park.
He was charged with one count of engaging in conduct that would corrupt a betting outcome and will appear in magistrates’ court on Thursday.
Victoria enacted laws last April against so-called “court-siding” where bets are made based on information provided by someone attending a sporting event. The offenses carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison. Tournament organizers said they were sharing information with police.
