13 arrested for operating illegal gambling den

SINGAPORE: Police arrested 13 people on July 11 for suspected involvement in operating and gaming in an illegal gambling den.

In a three—hour operation which started at about 8pm on July 11, officers from the Central Police Division raided a shophouse unit at Kitchener Road.

Eleven men and two women, aged between 22 and 54, were arrested.

Preliminary investigations revealed that two of the men, aged 22 and 30, were suspected to be operators of the gambling den while the remaining 11 suspects were believed to be patrons.

Twenty—four modified computers and cash amounting to about S$3,147 were also seized for investigation.

The two men who were suspected of operating the gambling den and five persons who were suspected to be gambling patrons will be charged in Court on July 13.

Investigations against the remaining suspects are on—going.

Any person convicted of an offence of managing a place to be used as a common gaming house could be fined S$5,000 to S$50,000, and jailed up to three years.

As for the patrons, any person convicted of an offence of gaming in a common gaming house could be fined up to S$5,000, and jailed up to six months.

Commander of Central Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Daniel Tan Sin Heng said: "The Police take a serious view against illegal gambling activities and will continue to clamp down on such activities. Those who willingly allow their business premises or residential units to be used for such unlawful activities can also expect the Police to come down hard on them. Owners have a responsibility to ensure that their premises are not used for illegal activities."

— CNA/fa