69 people, aged 29 to 87, arrested for illegal horse betting activities in S'pore

69 people were arrested during a series of islandwide police operations targeting illegal horse betting activities across Singapore.

In a news release, the Singapore Police Force said 65 men and four women, aged between 29 and 87, were arrested for their suspected involvement in unlawful horse betting activities.

The operations were conducted between May 6 and May 17.

Raids conducted across multiple estates

According to police, more than 160 officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and the seven Police Land Divisions carried out raids across multiple locations islandwide.

The raids took place in areas including Jurong West, Marsiling Lane, New Upper Changi Road, Eunos Crescent, Bedok and Rivervale Crescent.

Police said more than S$50,000 in cash, along with mobile phones and horse betting paraphernalia, were seized as case exhibits.

Suspects believed to have acted as bookmakers, runners and punters

Preliminary investigations revealed that the 69 individuals are believed to have performed various roles in the illegal betting operations, including bookmakers, runners and punters.

They are currently being investigated under the Gambling Control Act 2022.

Individuals convicted of gambling with an unlawful gambling service provider may face a fine of up to S$10,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.

Those found to have conducted unlawful betting operations as operators may face fines of up to S$500,000 and imprisonment of up to seven years.

Meanwhile, individuals found to have acted as agents in unlawful betting operations may face fines of up to S$200,000 and jail terms of up to five years.