Jun2013_ABOUT TWO UP
A BRIEF HISTORY OF TWO-UP (By popular Demand)
Over the last few years the RSL has been approached by various groups and individuals regarding information pertaining to varied topics, one of which that immediately comes to mind is the game of two-up – its origin, who can legally play the game and where can it be played.
As a consequence of the above and the interest shown by the general public with Anzac Day stories of two up games being reported on in the print and electric media, we have provided a brief history of the game and the current legal implications as per the Queensland Government Legislative Acts that pertain to the running of the game.
The exact origins of the game are obscure, but it seems to have evolved from pitch and toss, a gambling game involving tossing a single coin into the air and wagering on the result of the toss, which was popular amongst poorer English and Irish citizens in the 18th century. The predilection of the convicts for this game was noted as early as 1798 by the colony’s first Judge Advocate, as well as the lack of skill and consequent losses at it.
There is evidence to suggest that pitch and toss had evolved into two-up, using two coins by the 1850’s, and the game was played on the goldfields of the eastern states, and spread across the country with subsequent gold rushes elsewhere in Australia. As time passed, increasingly elaborate illegal "two-up schools" grew around Australia, to the consternation of authorities but in fact with the assistance of corrupt police officers.
The game was played extensively by Australia’s soldiers during World War I, and games of two-up at which an even blinder official eye was cast became a regular part of ANZAC Day celebrations for the returned soldiers.
The games continued illegally for most of the 20th century throughout Australia, exclusively involving men and usually only Anglo-Australian men. Two-up was the basis of one of Australia’s first major illegal gaming operations, the legendary Thommo’s Two-up School, which operated at various locations in Sydney (sometimes even on boats and hired ferries) from the early years of the 20th century until well after World War II.
Crime writer David Hickie claims that Thommo’s was turning over tens of thousands of pounds annually by the 1920s, and it is generally acknowledged that it flourished for decades thanks to endemic police and official corruption.
Legal two-up arrived in Australia with its introduction as a "table" game at the new casino in Hobart in 1973. Laws were subsequently passed legalising two-up on Anzac Day and also at several two-up schools in outback towns (mainly as a tourist attraction).
Two-up is now played at many of Australia’s casinos, but from the 1960s onwards it began to drop out of the illegal gaming culture. It was at first supplanted by the card game baccarat, which enjoyed a considerable vogue in the 1960s at the numerous illegal gaming houses around Sydney, but ultimately it was overtaken by the mainstream adoption of poker machines (slot machines) in NSW clubs.
It is interesting to note that the playing of the game of two-up in Queensland is covered under the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming (Two-Up) Amendment Bill 2011. The objective of this Act is to allow for the responsible, not-for-profit conduct of two-up games by the Returned and Services League (RSL) and Services clubs on Anzac Day, Remembrance Day, and related days prescribed in the regulation.
However, the point to remember is that two-up is an unlawful game if played in a public place outside of a casino under sections 234 and 230A of the Criminal Code Act 1899 (the Criminal Code is enforced by the Queensland Police Service).
Because of the link with military tradition, it has commonly been accepted in the Queensland community that, despite its illegality, two-up is played on Anzac and Remembrance Days as a mark of respect to those who have served their nation in wartime. In line with community expectation, the amendments in the Bill sought to make the conduct of the game legal if conducted by an RSL/Services club.
The amendment to the Bill restricts the conduct of two-up on specific days as stated above and any other significant event such as Vietnam Veterans Day for example. It also restricts the conduct of two-up to RSL/Services clubs. However, the game can be played at venues licensed under the Liquor Act 1999, but the function can only go ahead if an RSL or Services club has approved the conduct in writing. It must be noted that RSL Directives dictate that recommendation/approval must be sought from the local Chapter/Sub Branch, any approval gained outside of the district will have the approval withdrawn and the application cancelled.
To ensure that two-up is not used for profit making, provisions within the Bill prohibit commission on wagers by participants. However the Bill will allow an entry fee, if all money raised is donated to the RSL or Services club and is used for purposes to support ex-service men and women and their families. It is the intent of the Bill that all money raised will be used for this purpose and not be used for club operating expenses or other administrative purposes. It is also specific in that it ensures all money wagered by players must be returned to players (the person or venue conducting the game cannot take a commission or act as the banker).
So there you go; if you are interested in raising funds to benefit our local serving and ex service men and women and at the same time raising money for your own organisation, then contact your local RSL (you may even receive a sizable donation from the RSL after the event).
We would love to hear from you, realizing that it is the RSL which puts money back into the local community. This Chapter for example, recently donated $1000.00 to the Dayboro Scouts for them to purchase new equipment and we fully intend to put every cent we raise back to support the local community of Dayboro.
For all those people who have enquired re the history and the running of the game of two-up, I trust the above answers all your questions.
