A Queensland jockey, Dale Evans, has lost his appeal against a six-month ban imposed after he placed over 2000 bets on races online.
Evans argued that he was unaware of the prohibition against wagering on overseas racing, but the Racing Appeals Panel dismissed this claim, citing Evans’ acknowledgement of the rules when he obtained his jockey’s license.
The panel emphasised that ignorance of the rules is not an excuse, especially considering Evans’ acknowledgement of the betting restrictions.
The original penalty was confirmed by the panel, which referenced high-profile cases involving Ben Melham and Adam Hyeronimus when determining the appropriate penalty range.
The panel stressed the importance of upholding punters’ confidence in racing, stating that betting by jockeys harms the sport’s image.
The panel suggested that a suspension period between 3 and 9 months would be appropriate for most offences similar to Evans’.
