Description:
------------
Tested following code on Ubuntu with php 5.3.22, 5.3.23 and Mac OS PHP 5.3.22. 
Same behaviour everywhere. 

MacOS php-config
https://gist.github.com/message/5346478

5.3.19 affected
http://codepad.viper-7.com/BJO4cL

5.4.9
http://codepad.viper-7.com/Hyju5z

P.S If you going to remove line between comments then everything will work fine.

Test script:
---------------
<?php

class Dummy
{

    protected $key = null;

    public function test()
    {
        $this->key = 'value';

        //Lose by exactly 1 - Half the stake is refunded.The other half is classed as a loser.
         
        //Lose by 2 or more - All bets are losers.
    }

}

Expected result:
----------------
Nothing should happen

Actual result:
--------------
Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '}' in 
/Users/message/Dropbox/Work/syntax_error.php on line 15