11 arrested in illegal gambling den bust

SINGAPORE - Police arrested eleven suspects for operating and gaming in an illegal gambling den at a shop house in Geylang this morning.

Nine men and two women aged between 21 and 49 years were arrested in a three-hour operation which started yesterday at 10pm. 

Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the suspects, a 38-year-old male subject, had rented the shop house for the purpose of gambling, while another female suspect, aged 44, had assisted in managing the illegal gambling den.

The remaining suspects are believed to be patrons. Twenty-two modified computers and cash amounting to about $1,180 were also seized.

The 38-year-old and 44-year-old suspects as well as six other suspects will be charged in Court on Aug 6.

Any person convicted of an offence of managing a place to be used as a common gaming house under Section 4(1)(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act, shall be guilty on conviction to a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000 and shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years.

Any person convicted of an offence of having the care or management of or in any manner assists in the management of a place kept or used as a common gaming house shall be guilty of an offence.

He/she may be fined not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years.

As for the players, any person convicted shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

candicec@sph.com.sg