In an operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on 3 July 2010, 12 men aged between 24 to 57 years old were arrested for illegal soccer betting.

Through extensive ground observations and enquiries, Police detected illicit soccer betting activities at one of the coffeeshops in Geylang leading to the operation and arrests. It is believed that one of the suspects arrested operated as an illegal bookie who positioned himself at the said coffeeshop and collected bets from punters in the vicinity.

Cash amounting to about $1,500, one handphone, numerous slips of papers with entries, as well as an assortment of paraphernalia, including note pads, a calculator and a date stamp, believed to be related to the collection of the bets were also seized.

The operation was part of on-going Police efforts to curb illegal soccer betting in Singapore , especially during the World Cup season.

Assistant Director, Specialised Crime Division, CID , Supt Goh Lam Kiong, said, “Police will continue to take enforcement action against all forms of illegal betting activities. Punters may reckon that illegal bookies offer them better odds and returns, but they should also consider the risks and penalties when they are caught. They are mistaken if they think that they can escape Police detection. As long as they continue to operate illegally, we will come down on them regardless of whether they are individuals betting illegally or are part of a syndicate collecting illegal bets.”

Under the Betting Act, Chapter 21, any person who bets with a bookmaker is liable on conviction to a fine up to a maximum of $5,000, or to imprisonment of up to a maximum of six months, or both. Any person who is found to be involved in bookmaking is liable on conviction to a fine between $20,000 and $200,000, and shall also be punished with imprisonment for up to five years.

Investigations against those arrested are currently on-going.