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Seven men, aged between 37 and 53, have been arrested for their suspected involvement in illegal gambling, horse betting and remote gambling activities.

The police said 45 men and four women between the age of 37 and 83 are also under investigation for similar offences.

Three enforcement actions

All of these individuals were discovered during three police enforcement operations, according to the police news release on Dec. 1.

First operation

On Oct. 29, officers from the Central Police Division conducted an enforcement check on a shophouse unit along Norris Road, which was suspected to house illegal gambling activities.

Within the unit, officers found two men, aged between 37 and 53, allegedly organising illegal gambling activities for nine other men, aged between 37 and 67.

Gambling-related paraphernalia, such as poker cards were also found and seized for investigations.

Under the Common Gaming Houses Act, seven of the men were arrested, and the remaining four men are under investigation.

All 11 men are also being investigated for breaching safe distancing measures.

Second operation

On Nov. 20, officers from Woodlands Police Division conducted an enforcement check along Marsiling Road.

A man and woman were found allegedly acting as bookmakers, and collecting and placing bets.

Concurrently, two men and one woman, aged between 52 and 61, were found allegedly placing bets on horses with the bookmakers.

At the site, cash amounting to S$1,100, two mobile phones, and betting paraphernalia were seized.

The police said the three men and two women are being investigated for their alleged offences under the Betting Act.

Third operation

On Nov. 20 and 21, 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.

This was where 13 men, aged between 50 and 82, were found allegedly acting as bookmakers and collecting and placing bets through physical and remote means.

Additionally, 25 men and two women, aged between 46 and 83, were found allegedly placing 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 being investigated for their alleged offences under the Betting Act and the Remote Gambling Act, and their breaching of safe distancing measures.

Offences

The punishments for the convicted offences:

• Gaming in a common gaming house: A fine of up to S$5,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.
• Owning, occupying, temporarily using or keeping or using a place as a common gaming house: A fine between S$5,000 and S$50,000, and a jail term of up to three years.
• Bookmaking: A fine between S$20,000 and S$200,000, and an imprisonment term up to five years.
• Betting with a bookmaker: A fine up to S$5,000, an imprisonment up to six months, or both.
• Unlawful remote gambling: A fine not exceeding S$5,000, an imprisonment up to six months, or both.
• Providing unlawful remote gambling service for others: A fine between S$20,000 and S$200,000, an imprisonment term up to five years, or both.
• Not complying with safe distancing measures: A fine of up to S$10,000, an imprisonment term up to six months, or both.

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Top image courtesy of Singapore Police Force