The Police will be charging three men, aged between 33 and 57, for their alleged involvement in illegal online gambling activities in an unlawful gambling place.
The three persons will be charged on 16 April 2025 under the Gambling Control Act 2022:
- A 57-year-old man who allegedly assisted in the management of the unlawful gambling place;
- A 33-year-old man who was allegedly the occupier of the premises and allowed the premises to be used as an unlawful gambling place; and
- A 41-year-old man who was engaged in illegal gambling at the unlawful gambling place.
Details of the operation
During a joint operation from 21 to 22 August 2024, officers from the Specialised Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department, Ang Mo Kio Police Division and Police Intelligence Department conducted simultaneous raids in the vicinity of Serangoon North Avenue 4 and several other locations across Singapore, resulting in the arrest of 11 men and five women. Amongst the 16 persons, five persons allegedly gambled at these unlawful gambling places while the remaining 11 persons were part of the syndicate that allegedly financed, organised or assisted in operating these premises offering online gambling services. Follow-up investigations revealed that two other persons were also involved in assisting the organisation of these unlawful gambling places, bringing the total number of persons investigated to 18.
During the operation, more than $48,000 in cash, computers and other gambling paraphernalia were seized as case exhibits. Five persons aged between 30 and 63 were charged on 23 August 2024 with offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Out of the
five persons, a 30-year-old man, has been convicted and sentenced to two weeks’ imprisonment for assisting in organising an unlawful gambling place. Another person aged 49 was charged on 10 February 2025 for assisting in the management of an unlawful gambling place. The prosecutions of the remaining five persons are ongoing.
Of the nine remaining persons, seven have been warned by the Police for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022, whereas the investigations against the remaining two are ongoing.
Any person who:
- Assists in organising or managing, any unlawful gambling place will have committed an offence under Section 24(1) of the Gambling Control Act 2022. If convicted, the person 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.
- Allows the place or premises to be used, as an unlawful gambling place will have committed an offence under Section 23(1) of the Gambling Control Act 2022. If convicted, the person 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.
- Gambles with an unlicensed gambling service provider or at unlawful gambling place will have committed an offence under Section 20(3) of the Gambling Control Act 2022. If convicted, the person 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.
The Police take a serious stance against any person involved in illegal gambling activities, and offenders will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
15 April 2025 @ 11:30 AM