On June 11, a joint operation by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) led to the arrest of sixteen individuals aged 50 to 78 for involvement in illegal horse betting activities linked to a criminal syndicate. The raids, conducted simultaneously across multiple locations in Singapore and Malaysia, resulted in the seizure of cash, bank accounts totaling approximately $200,000, mobile phones, and gambling-related items. One 53-year-old Singaporean man arrested in Malaysia is set to face charges under the Gambling Control Act, while investigations into the other suspects continue.
Additionally, SPF conducted checks at various Singapore locations, investigating 41 individuals aged 47 to 84 suspected of roles such as illegal bookmakers, runners, and punters. Over $17,000 in cash and betting paraphernalia were seized. Under the Gambling Control Act, offenders face fines up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to six months for gambling, and operators can be fined up to $500,000 or jailed for seven years. Deputy Commissioner Zhang Weihan emphasized the police’s firm stance against illegal betting and highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation with RMP to combat such syndicates.
