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May 30, 2025, 11:39am
Teo Yan Ting
TNP
May 29, 2025
A narrow alley in Jurong West has become the unlikely site of an illegal gambling den, where a group of men regularly gather to play dice and place bets - sometimes in the tens of thousands.
Tucked between a coffee shop at Block 493 and a wet market at Block 494 along Jurong West Street 41, the alley is mostly ignored by passers-by.
But behind the cover of a roadside altar, the scene tells a different story.
According to a tip-off received by Shin Min Daily News, the makeshift gambling spot sees uncles crowding around a table in the early hours of the morning, especially on weekends.
"They start around 6am, but there's no fixed ending time," said one insider, who claimed to have witnessed the activity on multiple occasions.
"Sometimes young people also join in," he added.
The insider, who declined to be named, said the gamblers are quick to scatter when they spot uniformed officers nearby - only to return later and resume play.
He also claimed that the bets can reach up to $50,000, with dice, cups and plates used to run the game.
"They've basically turned the alley into a casino," he added.
When reporters visited the area recently around 10am, they observed close to 10 men - mostly older - either seated or standing around a table.
Dice, cups, and what appeared to be chess pieces were laid out. Some of the men placed cash on the table.
By 11am, the crowd had dispersed, but the setup - including the table and game pieces - remained.
The alley, about 20 metres long, is largely shielded from view.
It lies between a bustling coffee shop and a wet market, but few people walk through it.
The gambling table is partially obscured by an altar, making the activity easy to miss at a glance.
Nearby shopkeepers and residents said they've noticed the regular gatherings but could not always see clearly what was going on due to the secluded corner.
One resident, frustrated by the scene, said: "It's ridiculous that they're so blatant about it. The alley has become a mini casino - it's an unhealthy habit and shouldn't be allowed."
Men allegedly gather, place bets in the tens of thousands at 'mini casino' hidden in Jurong West alley
TNP
May 29, 2025
A narrow alley in Jurong West has become the unlikely site of an illegal gambling den, where a group of men regularly gather to play dice and place bets - sometimes in the tens of thousands.
Tucked between a coffee shop at Block 493 and a wet market at Block 494 along Jurong West Street 41, the alley is mostly ignored by passers-by.
But behind the cover of a roadside altar, the scene tells a different story.
According to a tip-off received by Shin Min Daily News, the makeshift gambling spot sees uncles crowding around a table in the early hours of the morning, especially on weekends.
"They start around 6am, but there's no fixed ending time," said one insider, who claimed to have witnessed the activity on multiple occasions.
"Sometimes young people also join in," he added.
The insider, who declined to be named, said the gamblers are quick to scatter when they spot uniformed officers nearby - only to return later and resume play.
He also claimed that the bets can reach up to $50,000, with dice, cups and plates used to run the game.
"They've basically turned the alley into a casino," he added.
When reporters visited the area recently around 10am, they observed close to 10 men - mostly older - either seated or standing around a table.
Dice, cups, and what appeared to be chess pieces were laid out. Some of the men placed cash on the table.
By 11am, the crowd had dispersed, but the setup - including the table and game pieces - remained.
The alley, about 20 metres long, is largely shielded from view.
It lies between a bustling coffee shop and a wet market, but few people walk through it.
The gambling table is partially obscured by an altar, making the activity easy to miss at a glance.
Nearby shopkeepers and residents said they've noticed the regular gatherings but could not always see clearly what was going on due to the secluded corner.
One resident, frustrated by the scene, said: "It's ridiculous that they're so blatant about it. The alley has become a mini casino - it's an unhealthy habit and shouldn't be allowed."
