Two women and six men, ages 23 to 70, are being investigated by the police for their alleged involvement in illicit gambling, as well as for violating the terms of a public entertainment license and failing to comply with safe distancing measures (SDM).
Officers from Jurong Police Division conducted an enforcement operation at a public entertainment establishment along Yuan Ching Road at approximately 1.55 a.m. on September 10, 2021, and discovered eight people allegedly gathering and engaged in gambling-related activities.
41-year-old woman arrested
A 41-year-old woman was also detained for allegedly utilizing the establishment as a common gaming house and offering public entertainment in violation of the license’s terms. Six additional males, ranging in age from 27 to 70, are under investigation for allegedly gambling in a similar gaming establishment.
As case evidence, gambling-related memorabilia was confiscated. Under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, the eight people will be examined for non-compliance with SDM.
Punishments
Under the Common Gaming Houses Act, the offence of using a place as a common gaming house is punishable with a fine between $5,000 and $50,000 and with imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years. The offence of gaming in a common gaming house is punishable with a fine not exceeding $5,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.
Under the Public Entertainment Act, those found providing public entertainment in contravention of conditions of a license may be punished with a fine not exceeding $10,000.
For non-compliance with SDM under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, those found guilty may be punished with a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.