The Police have arrested 30 men and 13 women, aged between 22 and 81, for their suspected involvement in illegal gambling activities.
Police arrested the individuals in a series of operations conducted island-wide:
- On 20 November 2021, officers from the Bedok Police Division arrested eight men, aged between 26 and 72, who were allegedly gambling at a hawker centre along Bedok North Street 3. Cash amounting to $580, believed to be involved in the offence, was seized.
- In another operation conducted on 18 December 2021 along Lorong 15 Geylang, four men and five women, aged between 47 to 81, were arrested for allegedly gambling at the said location. Preliminary investigations revealed that one of them, a 47-year-old man, was believed to have operated the common gaming house, while the remaining were believed to be patrons.
- On 24 December 2021, in an operation conducted along Lorong 16 Geylang, four men and two women, aged between 46 and 70, were arrested. Preliminary investigations revealed that the unit was believed to be offering online casino and slots game. Cash amounting to $1,885 and computer equipment were seized.
- On 2 January 2022, officers from Central Police Division conducted an operation at a shophouse along Jalan Pinang and arrested seven men and five women, aged between 24 and 65. Preliminary investigations indicated that one of them, a 37-year-old man was believed to have operated the gambling den, while the remaining were believed to be patrons. The Police also seized 13 modified computers and about $3,300 cash for investigations.
- On 4 January 2022, officers from Central Police Division also raided a shophouse along Verdun Road, which was believed to be operating as an illegal gambling den. Seven men and one woman, aged between 22 to 59, were arrested. Two of them, a 22-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman, were believed to have operated the gambling den, while the remaining six of them were believed to be patrons. During the operation, cash amounting to more than $94,000 and gambling-related paraphernalia were seized.
Any person convicted of an offence of managing a place to be used as a common gaming house under Section 4(1)(c) of the Common Gaming Houses Act, shall be liable to a fine of between $5,000 and $50,000, with imprisonment term of up to three years. As for the patrons, any person convicted of an offence of gaming in a common gaming house under Section 7 of the Common Gaming Houses Act, shall be liable to a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment term of up to six months, or both. Any person convicted of an offence of gaming in a public place under Section 8(2) of the Common Gaming Houses Act, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both. Any person convicted of an offence of promoting or facilitating gaming in a public place under Section 8(4) of the Common Gaming Houses Act, shall be liable to a fine between $20,000 and $200,000, and imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
Under Section 8(1)(b) of the Remote Gambling Act, an individual who, in Singapore, gambles using remote communication and using a remote gambling service that is not provided by a person otherwise exempt shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both. Under Sec 9(1)(e) of the same Act, any person who assists in providing unlawful remote gambling service for another shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $20,000 and not more than $200,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.
The Police take a serious view against all forms of illegal gambling activities and members of the public are advised to steer clear of these activities. Individuals found to be involved in such activities will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Photo of seized exhibits and cash
Items seized in the operation on 4 January 2022
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
21 January 2022 @ 4:10 PM