In a joint operation by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), a total of 15 men and one woman, aged between 50 and 78, were arrested for their suspected involvement with a criminal syndicate responsible for illegal horse betting activities.
During the joint operation on 11 June 2025, officers from the SPF Criminal Investigation Department and Special Operations Command conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations island-wide, leading to the arrest of 14 men and one woman. Concurrently, officers from the RMP Criminal Investigation Department carried out a raid in Malaysia, leading to the arrest of one 53-year-old Singaporean man.
The SPF seized cash and three bank accounts with a total estimated value of S$200,000 that were believed to constitute criminal proceeds. Electronic devices such as mobile phones and gambling-related paraphernalia were also seized as case exhibits.
The 53-year-old Singaporean man who was arrested in Malaysia will be charged in court on 13 June 2025 for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Investigations against all other subjects are ongoing.
Officers from the SPF Criminal Investigation Department and the Land Divisions also carried out simultaneous checks on the same day at multiple locations across Singapore, including King George’s Avenue, Jurong Street 24, Ang Mo Kio Street 22, New Upper Changi Road, Yung Sheng Road, Bukit Batok Street 31 and Marsiling Road. 40 men and a woman, aged between 47 and 84, are being investigated for their suspected involvement in illegal horse betting activities under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash amounting to more than S$17,000, and an array of mobile phones and horse betting paraphernalia were seized as case exhibits. Preliminary investigations revealed that the 41 persons are believed to have been involved in various roles such as illegal bookmakers, runners as well as punters.
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.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation and Intelligence) concurrent Director of the Criminal Investigation Department Zhang Weihan said, “The Police take a serious view of all forms of illegal betting activities. We will seek out those involved and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. This includes working with foreign counterparts like the RMP to detect and deter these syndicates. I would like to thank Director Criminal Investigation Department of RMP, Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, and his officers for their strong support and commitment in tackling transnational organised criminal groups. The SPF will continue to work with our partners to detect and dismantle criminal syndicates wherever they choose to operate.”
Annex A - Photos taken during the simultaneous raids in Singapore and Malaysia, which resulted in the arrests of 15 men and one woman
[Execution of gambling suppression raids on the criminal syndicate in Singapore and Malaysia]
[Handing over of 53-year-old Singaporean man at Woodlands Checkpoint]
Annex B – Photos taken during the simultaneous checks at multiple locations within Singapore, which resulted in 40 men and one woman being investigated for suspected involvement in illegal horse-betting activities
[Cash and gambling paraphernalia seized during simultaneous checks at multiple locations within Singapore]
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
12 June 2025 @ 10:15 PM