A report in todays Canberra Times newspaper reveals that the Australian Capital Territories Unlawful Games Act "prohibits any games of 'skill or chance' in which money or other valuables are staked".
Games covered by the legislation include chess, bridge, backgammon and scrabble. The penalties for players involved in these activities face a $1000 fine, while organisers can be fined $10,000 and jailed for up to a year.
The act has been on the books for 23 years, "but the Gaming and Racing Commision believes no one has ever been prosecuted for the offence".
It appears that the government will amend the law later in the year to exempt the games concerned.
Until then I figure the government won't waste the time or money of trying to arrest anyone for running a chess tournament, so its probably safe to come to Canberra for the Doeberl Cup.
And I did like the headline for the article: Step away from the chess set and put your hands up
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