29 men and three women, aged between 39 and 79, were arrested for their suspected involvement in illegal horse betting activities.
Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and the seven Police land divisions conducted an island-wide operation at multiple locations including Jurong West, Chai Chee and Hougang on 14 April 2019.
According to the police, cash amounting to about S$12,490, mobile phones, pagers and documents such as betting records, were seized during the operation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the 32 suspects are believed to have been involved in various roles, including illegal bookmakers, runners as well as punters.
Investigations against the suspects 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.
Under the Remote Gambling Act, any person who bets using remote communication; or with a remote gambling service that is not provided by an exempt operator, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.
The Police stressed that it takes a serious view against all forms of illegal betting activities and will continue to take tough enforcement action against those involved, regardless of their roles.
Members of the public are advised to steer clear of all forms of illegal gambling activities, it noted.
