Police bust 'association' used as gambling den
AsiaOne
Monday, Jan 21, 2013
Police yesterday arrested 9 men aged between 37 and 78 for operating and gaming in an illegal gambling den which masqueraded as an association.
In a five-hour joint-operation which started at about 11am on January 20, 2013, officers from both Bedok Police Division and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) raided the association located along Geylang Road.
Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects had operated the said association as an illegal gambling den, while the rest were gambling den patrons.
Amongst these patrons, four suspects were also arrested for entering Singapore illegally and overstaying. Two mahjong tables, four desks of poker cards and gambling chips were seized as case exhibits. Investigations against all nine suspects are on-going.
Any person convicted of an offence of Managing a place to be used as a Common Gaming House under Section 4(1)(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act, will face a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000 and a jail term of up to three years.
As for players convicted of an offence of Gaming in a Common Gaming House under Section 7 of the Common Gaming Houses Act, they may be fined an amount not exceeding $5,000 or face jail of up to six months, or both.
The ICA takes a serious view of attempts to overstay, enter or depart Singapore illegally.
The penalties for overstaying or illegal entry are a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane, while the penalties for illegal departure is a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.
Commander of Bedok Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police How Kwang Hwee commended the officers from both Home Team departments for the successful joint operations.
He added: "We will continue to hit hard at these places which operate as illegal gambling dens under the guise of operating as an association. Those who knowingly allow their business premises or residential units to be used for such unlawful activities can also expect to face the full brunt of the law if they are found to be liable."
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