The Police have arrested seven men, aged between 37 and 53, and are investigating 45 men and four women, aged between 37 and 83, for their suspected involvement in illegal gambling, horse betting and remote gambling activities in three enforcement operations.
For the first operation, on 29 October 2021, officers from Central Police Division conducted an enforcement check on a shophouse unit along Norris Road, which was suspected to house illegal gambling activities. Upon entry into the unit, two men, aged between 37 and 53, were found to have allegedly organized illegal gambling activities for nine other men, aged between 37 and 67, who were found within the unit. Gambling-related paraphernalia such as poker cards were found and seized for investigations. Seven men were arrested under the Common Gaming Houses Act, while the remaining four men are investigated for offences under the Common Gaming Houses Act. All eleven men are assisting with investigations into breaches of safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
For the second operation, on 20 November 2021, officers from Woodlands Police Division conducted an enforcement check along Marsiling Road. During the operation, a man and a woman, aged between 60 and 62, were allegedly acting as bookmakers by collecting and placing bets for two men and one woman, aged between 52 and 61, who had allegedly placed bets on horses with the bookmakers. Cash amounting to $1,100, two mobile phones and betting paraphernalia were seized. The three men and two women are assisting with investigations into offences under the Betting Act.
For the third operation, on 20 and 21 November 2021, officers from Central Police Division conducted a series of enforcement checks along Bendemeer Road, Beach Road, Sago Lane, New Market Street and King George’s Avenue. During the operations, 13 men, aged between 50 and 82, were found allegedly acting as bookmakers by collecting and placing bets through physical and remote means for 25 men and two women, aged between 46 and 83, who had allegedly placed bets on horses with the bookmakers. Cash amounting to S$13,000, a mobile phone and betting paraphernalia were seized. The 38 men and two women are assisting with investigations into offences under the Betting Act and the Remote Gambling Act, as well as breaches of safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
Under Section 7 of the Common Gaming Houses Act, the offence of gaming in a common gaming house carries a fine of up to $5,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both. The offence of being the owner or occupier or of which he/she has the use temporarily or otherwise thereof keeps or uses a place as a common gaming house under Section 4(1)(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act carries a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000, and a jail term of up to three years.
For non-compliance with safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, offenders may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
Under the Betting Act, any person who is found to be involved in bookmaking shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $20,000 and not more than $200,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years. Under the same Act, any person who bets with a bookmaker shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.
Under the Remote Gambling Act, any person involved in unlawful remote gambling shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both. Any person involved in providing unlawful remote gambling service for another shall be liable on conviction to a fine not less than $20,000 and not more than $200,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.
The Police will continue to take tough enforcement actions against illegal gambling and horse betting activities. Members of the public also are advised to take the prevailing safe distancing measures seriously. Those found engaging in illicit activities, or in breach of safe distancing measures, will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
01 December 2021 @ 9:00 AM