The Police are investigating 13 men, aged between 57 and 82, for their suspected involvement in illegal horse betting activities and for alleged non-compliance with safe distancing measures (SDM).
Two enforcement operations were conducted by Woodlands Police Division on 3 July and 7 July 2021 at Woodlands and Marsiling respectively. During the operations, cash amounting to more than $3100, two mobile phones and betting paraphernalia were seized as case exhibits.
Preliminary investigations revealed that seven men, aged 57 to 74, and six men, aged 65 to 82, were allegedly involved in illegal betting activities in public locations along Woodlands St 82 and Marsiling Rise respectively. Investigations against all the men 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.
Members of the public are advised to take the prevailing safe distancing measures seriously. For non-compliance with safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, offenders may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
The Police take a serious view against all forms of illegal betting activities. The Police will continue to take tough enforcement action and prosecute those involved in accordance with the law. Members of the public are advised to steer clear of all forms of illegal gambling activities and to take the prevailing SDM seriously.
Source: Singapore Police Force