The Police are investigating 70 men and 3 women, aged between 52 and 93, for their suspected involvement in illegal horse betting activities.
Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and the seven Police Land Divisions conducted island-wide operations between 30 October 2024 and 10 November 2024. Multiple locations were raided including Banda Street, Telok Blangah Crescent, King George’s Avenue, Smith Street, Teban Gardens Road, Toa Payoh, Ang Mo Kio, Yishun, Aljunied Crescent, Eunos Crescent, Tampines, Marsiling Road and Boon Lay Place. A total of 73 persons are assisting in investigations for their suspected involvement in illegal horse betting activities under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash amounting to more than $43,000, mobile phones and horse betting paraphernalia were seized.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the 73 persons are believed to have been involved in various roles such as illegal bookmakers, runners, and punters.
This is the first major operation against illegal horse betting activities following the closure of Singapore Turf Club on 5 October 2024. This targeted enforcement operation is part of ongoing efforts to address illegal gambling in Singapore. This crackdown serves as a stern warning to those involved in any form of illegal gambling. The Police do not condone any form of illegal gambling activities and will continue to take tough enforcement action against anyone who is involved in those activities.
Singapore Pools is the only legalised sports, lottery and horse betting operator in Singapore. Members of the public are strongly advised to steer clear of all forms of illegal gambling. They can contact the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1800-6-668-668 if they wish to seek help for gambling addiction.
Under Section 20(3) of the Gambling Control Act 2022, any person who gambles with an unlawful gambling service provider shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both. Under Section 18(2) of the same Act, any person who is found to be involved in conducting an unlawful betting operation as an operator shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $500,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years. Under Section 18(3) of the same Act, any person who is found to be involved in conducting an unlawful betting operation as an agent shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $200,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
Fig 1: Cash and mobile phone seized at Tampines▼
Fig 2: Cash seized at Marsiling Road▼
Fig 3: Cash seized at Banda Street▼
Fig 4: Cash and gambling paraphernalia seized at Yishun▼
Fig 5: Cash seized at Eunos Crescent▼
Fig 6: Cash seized at Teban Gardens Road▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
19 November 2024 @ 4:30 PM