The Police have arrested 23 men, aged between 55 and 80, for their suspected involvement in illegal horse betting activities.
In an islandwide operation conducted on 1 April 2018, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the six Police Land Divisions conducted raids at multiple locations including French Road, Jurong East, Toa Payoh, Yishun, Bedok North and Yung Sheng Road, resulting in the arrests. During the operation, cash amounting to about S$8,000, mobile phones, pens, pagers and documents such as betting records were also seized. Preliminary investigations revealed that the 23 suspects are believed to have various roles including illegal bookmakers, runners as well as gamblers. Police 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, or to 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.
The Police take a serious view against all forms of illegal betting activities and will continue to take tough enforcement action against those involved, regardless of their roles. Members of the public are advised to steer clear of all forms of illegal gambling.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
02 April 2018 @ 6:12 PM