Funny money or casino nights

'Funny money' nights (also called 'casino nights') are a common fundraising event for organisations. Players in funny money nights play for entertainment value only and with the knowledge that the proceeds from the night will benefit the organisation.

Attendees generally pay an entrance fee and receive a specified amount of unredeemable token money to play gambling games usually associated with a casino (e.g. roulette and blackjack).

While you do not need a licence or permit to conduct a funny money night in Queensland, your organisation must comply with the requirements of lawful gaming under the Criminal Code Act 1899.

Funny money nights become an 'unlawful game' under the Criminal Code Act if players risk a stake on the outcome. This includes players, at the end of an event, using the chips or funny money to bid in an auction, or if the player with the highest number of chips receives a prize.

This guide explains your legal obligations when running a funny money night, and the penalties for non-compliance.

How to conduct a lawful funny money night

Organisations that wish to host 'funny money nights' in a public place in Queensland do not require a licence or permit. However, to host a legal funny money night you must comply with requirements in the Criminal Code Act 1899.

The lists below outline what you can and can't do when hosting funny money nights.

What is legal

You can charge an admission fee or donation may be charged for entry into the event (the fundraising amount).
You must distribute play money, gaming chips and tokens fairly to participants.
You can allow additional play money, gaming chips, tokens, etc. to be purchased during the event.

What is not legal

You must not allow play money, chips, tokens, etc. to be:
- redeemed for money or anything of value
- used for the purpose of bidding in an auction either during or after the event
- used to otherwise determine the winner of a prize.

You must not allow patrons to:
- risk a stake on the outcome
- win or lose anything of value while playing the games
- gamble in a public place.

Also consider...

Read the Criminal Code Act 1899.
Read more about charitable and not-for-profit gaming.

Penalties for illegal funny money nights

An individual or business that owns, leases, manages, controls or maintains a place that hosts an unlawful 'funny money night' would be committing an offence under section 232 of the Criminal Code Act 1899. The maximum penalty for this offence is $100,140 (600 penalty units) or 3 years imprisonment.

Section 234 of the Act provides the simple offences for conducting and playing an unlawful game:

The maximum penalty for 'conducting' is $100,140 (200 penalty units).
The maximum penalty for 'playing' is $100,140 (40 penalty units).

Fines current as at 1 July. The values change each year on this date.

The Criminal Code Act is enforced by the Queensland Police Service. If you are in any doubt of what constitutes an unlawful game, you should obtain independent legal advice before conducting a funny money or casino night.

Also consider...

Read the Criminal Code Act 1899
Read more about charitable and not-for-profit gaming.