Open to the knowledge or view of all; general; common; notorious; as, public report; public scandal.

The general body of mankind, or of a nation, state, or community; the people, indefinitely; as, the American public; also, a particular body or aggregation of people; as, an author's public.

people in general considered as a whole; "he is a hero in the eyes of the public"

a body of people sharing some common interest; "the reading public"

not private; open to or concerning the people as a whole; "the public good"; "public libraries"; "public funds"; "public parks"; "a public scandal"; "public gardens"; "performers and members of royal families are public figures"

affecting the people or community as a whole; "community leaders"; "community interests"; "the public welfare"

a group of people who are otherwise unrelated, who come together by reference to a common purpose, like a market or a democracy, and have in common the information provided by a common source, say a newspaper

a particular group of people with a common interest, aim, etc.: the book-buying public.(empty)

A group of people who share common interests or concerns.

A public means unsophisticated bettors. Their bets are call public money. The public includes fans and squares and people who make a bet just to make a game more exciting.

Average, unsophisticated or casual bettors as a whole; or, used to describe money bet by the public ("a lot of public money came in on the Cowboys"); see "square."

of or having to do with the people as a whole.

Refers to the generally novice bettor.