Singapore Police Seize S$730,000 in Illegal Gambling Operation Raids

  • The authorities arrested 29 people on Sunday following numerous simultaneous raids
  • Police found cash, luxury watches, electronic devices, and gambling-related documents
  • Singaporeans found to be facilitating illegal online gambling face significant punishments
  • Authorities in Singapore have upped efforts to crack down on illegal gambling this year
Singapore dollars
Singapore police have arrested 29 people and seized S$730,000 (US$524,137) in cash following illegal gambling-related raids. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

A major operation

Police in Singapore have taken down a significant illegal gambling operation, seizing hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process.

involvement in providing illegal online gambling services

Authorities announced on Tuesday that they had arrested 24 men and five women as a result of a number of raids on Sunday. The people under arrest ranged between the ages of 32 and 75. They were taken into custody due to their alleged involvement in providing illegal online gambling services.

During the raids, police discovered almost S$730,000 (US$524,137) in cash, as well as numerous luxury watches and electronic devices. They also found documents relating to the gambling operation. The authorities have now frozen the bank accounts of the suspects.

Significant punishments

The extensive Sunday operation, reported by the Straits Times, included simultaneous raids at numerous locations, such as Tampines, Teban Gardens, Jurong West, Hougang, Redhill, and Bukit Batok. Two of the offenders are appearing in court on Tuesday to face charges relating to the Remote Gambling Act of 2014.

Currently, it is illegal for people in Singapore to gamble online. Land-based casinos do exist in the country, but locals need to pay a levy to gain entry.

Singapore has hefty penalties for people who facilitate the participation of others in online gambling. They can face a fine worth as much as S$200,000 (US$143,599), as well as a prison term of up to five years.

The authorities are seeking a court order to keep suspects on remand while investigations continue.

Fighting against illegal gambling

Authorities in Singapore have continued to crack down on illegal gambling across the country this year. To this aim, officials have plans to change the gambling sector’s regulations and to create some new regulatory bodies to monitor the industry.

One of the most prevalent verticals for illegal gambling in Singapore is horse racing betting. The sport has proven extremely popular across the nation for many years but only a few operators are able to offer sports betting legally.

In February, Singapore police revealed they had investigated almost 90 individuals for their role in illegal horse racing betting, following numerous raids. This included organizers and bettors.

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