One woman and 31 men, aged between 24 and 67, were arrested for their suspected involvement in conducting unlawful remote betting operations island-wide on Sunday and Monday (Nov 5 and 6), said the police.

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Police Intelligence Department, Special Operations Command and seven Land Divisions mounted simultaneous raids at multiple locations, including Ubi, Ang Mo Kio, Watten Estate, Choa Chu Kang, Hougang, Punggol, Fernvale, Yishun and Tampines.

Valuables amounting close to $1 million, comprising more than $860,000 in cash and eight luxury watches, were seized.

This is in addition to the seizure of electronic devices such as computers and mobile phones, and gambling-related documents which were believed to be used in the syndicated gambling activities.

Two men, aged 41 and 58, are to be charged in court on Tuesday with offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022.

Investigations against the others are ongoing.

Under the Gambling Control Act 2022, any person who is found to be involved in conducting an unlawful betting operation as an operator shall be liable on a conviction to a fine not exceeding S$500,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years.

Under the same Act, any person who is found to be involved in conducting an unlawful betting operation as an agent shall be liable on a conviction to a fine not exceeding $200,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

Also, any person who gambles with an unlawful gambling service provider shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both.

Police take a serious view against all forms of illegal betting activities and will continue to take tough enforcement action and prosecute those involved to the fullest extent of the law.