The Police are investigating 42 persons, aged between 19 and 64, for their suspected involvement in illegal gambling activities, following gambling suppression operations conducted between 30 October and 3 November 2023.
During the operations, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department conducted investigations against the 42 persons and froze more than 18 bank accounts that were believed to be used to facilitate illegal gambling activities.
Investigations are ongoing against the 42 persons for the following illegal gambling activities:
- 13 persons allegedly relinquished the control of their bank accounts to illegal gambling syndicates to facilitate bank transactions related to illegal gambling activities. They are investigated under offences under Gambling Control Act 2022 and Computer Misuse Act 1993;
- 27 persons allegedly gambled using illegal gambling websites or mobile applications and performed monetary transactions with bank accounts controlled by the illegal gambling syndicates. They are investigated under offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022; and
- Two persons allegedly subscribed handphone lines that were used by the illegal gambling syndicates to facilitate the gambling activities. They are investigated under offences under Gambling Control Act 2022 and Remote Gambling Act 2014.
Under Section 18(3) of the Gambling Control Act 2022, any person who is found to be involved in conducting an unlawful betting operation as an agent shall be liable on a conviction to a fine not exceeding S$200,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years. Under Section 20(3) of the same Act, 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.
Those who relinquish their banking facilities to facilitate illegal gambling activities may be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both under the Computer Misuse Act 1993, for first time offenders.
Under Section 9(1)(e) of the Remote Gambling Act 2014, any person who assists in providing unlawful remote gambling service for another shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $20,000 and not more than $200,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.
The Police will continue to take tough enforcement action against those involved in illegal gambling activities, regardless of their roles, and ensure that they face the full brunt of the law. This includes taking actions against those who open or give away their bank accounts to aid illegal gambling activities.
Members of the public are strongly advised to stay away from illegal gambling activities. The public can contact National Council on Problem Gambling at 1800-6-668-668 if they wish to seek help for gambling addiction.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
06 November 2023 @ 6:30 PM