Singapore arrests 17 in illegal gambling crackdown
Five suspects were scheduled to appear in court today.
Singapore.- Police have arrested 17 people and seized more than S$720,000 (US$556,293) in cash following an operation targeting suspected illegal remote gambling. Simultaneous raids were conducted on July 6 by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, the Police Intelligence Department and the Special Operations Command at multiple locations, including Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Toa Payoh, Changi, Bedok, Tampines, Bukit Batok and Choa Chu Kang.
Police say 14 men and three women aged between 45 and 76 were arrested. Officers also confiscated mobile phones, computers and other items. Five suspects – four men and one woman – were scheduled to appear in court today to face charges under Singapore’s Gambling Control Act 2022. Investigations involving the remaining 12 suspects are ongoing.
People convicted of operating an illegal betting service can face fines of up to S$500,000 (US$386,315) and imprisonment of up to seven years. Illegal betting agents can be fined up to S$200,000 (US$154,526) and jailed for up to seven years, while people who place bets with unlicensed operators may face fines of up to S$10,000 (US$7,726), imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
The police reminded residents that Singapore Pools remains the country’s only authorised operator of lotteries, sports betting and remote gambling services.
