The Police are investigating 147 men and 11 women, aged between 36 and 83, for their suspected involvement in illegal horse betting activities and for alleged non-compliance of safe distancing measures (SDM).
Between 24 April 2021 and 6 June 2021, officers from Criminal Investigation Department and the seven Police land divisions conducted operations against illegal horse betting activities at multiple locations including Telok Blangah Crescent, Bukit Merah View, Serangoon Central, Bedok, Bukit Batok, Woodlands, Marsiling and Yishun. Housing & Development Board (HDB) officers also supported the island-wide operation, through enforcement against SDM breaches. During the operations, cash amounting to more than $76,000, several mobile phones and documents believed to be betting records were seized.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the 158 persons purportedly consist of illegal bookmakers accepting illegal horse racing bets, runners assisting the bookmakers and gamblers who placed illegal horse racing bets with the illegal bookmakers. Investigations are ongoing.
Under the Betting 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. 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.
For non-compliance with SDM under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, individuals may be fined between $300 and $1,000, depending on the seriousness of the breaches found. For more serious breaches, offenders may also be liable for prosecution and be punished with a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.
The Police take a serious view against all forms of illegal betting activities. Police will continue to take tough enforcement action and prosecute those involved in accordance with the law. Members of the public are advised to steer clear of all forms of illegal gambling activities and to take the prevailing SDM seriously.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
08 June 2021 @ 9:30 AM