11 nabbed for allegedly providing remote gambling services

SINGAPORE — In the first crackdown on a remote gambling syndicate since new laws took effect in February, the police have arrested nine men and two women aged 26 to 51 for their suspected involvement in providing remote gambling services.

Based on preliminary investigation, the 11 people, who were nabbed an island-wide operation yesterday (May 3), were believed to have received about S$3 million in illegal bets in the past two weeks, the police said today.

During the operation, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) raided various locations such as Balestier, Hougang, Tiong Bahru, Tanjong Pagar, Newton and Woodlands. About S$215,000 in cash, mobile phones, computers and documents such as betting records and bank transaction record booklets were seized during the raid.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations & Intelligence) Tan Chye Hee, who is also the Director of CID, said: “This is the first syndicate to be investigated by the Singapore Police Force under the new Act. Police are determined to stamp out unlawful remote gambling and will continue to take tough enforcement actions against those who flout the law.”

The Remote Gambling Act, which was passed in Parliament last year, criminalises the entire spectrum of remote gambling, from individual gamblers to facilitators, and from runners to operators.

TODAY understands that prior to Sunday’s crackdown against the syndicate, individuals who fell foul of the new laws had been arrested,   

Those found guilty of providing remote gambling services are liable to a fine of up to S$200,000, or jailed up to five years, or both. Individuals who use these illegal services that are not provided by an exempt operator could be fined up to S$5,000, or jailed for up to six months, or both. LAURA PHILOMIN