We can often hear noises from surrounding areas of our HDB estate and most residents are responsible and do not make much noise at night.
However, a group of people at Yishun set up tables in the stairwell of the HDB to gamble late at night, and also smoked and drank alcohol, disturbing people’s sleep.
Shin Min Daily News reported that a resident staying in Yishun informed them that he was disturbed by the noises outside the window and went to take a look.
Location of incident: Block 284, Yishun Avenue 6.
What he saw was a group of elderly people setting up tables at the stairwell between the second and third floors to play Mahjong.
The resident further elaborated that he witnessed the group of people taking money out of their pockets to gamble.
Shin Min Daily News sent a reporter to the location and discovered several tables and plastic chairs were placed in the corridor on the second floor.
While the reporter tried to talk to the owner of the house, the reporter was rejected.
What does the law say?
In general, if you’re playing games of chance at home with friends and family, it will not be considered as illegal gambling.
However, Under Section 4(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act, any person who, being the owner or occupier of a property, keeps or uses it as a common gaming house, shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000 and imprisonment of a term not exceeding three years. Under Section 7 of the Common Gaming Houses Act, any person caught gaming in a common gaming house shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000Â imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both.
For Public gambling, one can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jail up to 6 months. Any gaming-related paraphernalia will be confiscated.
Image Source: Shin Min Daily News