Soon after strict COVID-19 measures in Singapore are announced, three things always happen:
- Residents panic buy
- Bubble tea orders skyrocket (mostly among Goody Feed writers)
- Reports emerge of people breaking the rules
The rules are simple enough to understand: don’t gather in groups of more than two, and don’t have more than two distinct visitors over a day.
But, of course, there will always be a minority of residents who breach COVID-19 measures for their own benefit.
This time, it was to gamble.
17 People Under Investigations for Suspected Gambling After Limit on Gathering Had Been Reduced to 2
On Sunday night (16 May), the first day of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), the police received a report of about a large gathering of people.
The gathering was allegedly taking place in a residential unit in Boon Lay Place.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found not one, not two (which is the magic number these days), but 17 people gathered in the unit.
All were participating in gambling-related activities, according to The Straits Times. Some mahjong tiles and other gambling-related items were seized by officers.
The police are now investigating the 11 men and six women in the unit, who are aged between 17 and 70.
One man—a 62-year-old—is being investigated on suspicion of operating a common gambling house. If convicted, he could be fined between S$5,000 and S$50,000, and jailed up to three years.
The other 16 participants are being investigated for allegedly gaming in a common gaming house. A fine of up to S$5,000 and six months’ jail, or both, could be imposed for this offence.
The whole group is also under probe for breaching safe distancing measures, of course, which carries a penalty of six months’ imprisonment, a S$10,000 fine, or both.
Wait, Gambling is Illegal?
Having played mahjong with your friends a few days ago, you’re probably wondering if you’ve committed an offence which could land you in jail.
The answer, fortunately for you, is no.
According to the Asia Law Network, there are a total of five laws in Singapore that cover gambling.
These are:
- The Common Gaming Houses Act, which regulates and suppresses all common gaming houses, public gaming, and public lotteries
- The Betting Act, which regulates common betting-houses, betting in public locations, and bookmakers
- The Private Lotteries Act, which covers lotteries conducted in private locations
- The Casino Control Act, which regulates the two licensed casinos in Singapore
- The Remote Gambling Act, which oversees all forms of gambling that are conducted via the Internet, telephone, television, radio, or any other kind of electronic or technological device that facilitates communication
This means that in general, if you’re just gambling at home with friends and family, it will not be considered illegal.
But, if your apartment or office is turned into a venue solely for the purposes of gambling, then you’d be violating the Common Gaming Houses Act and could face a fine or imprisonment.
Whatever games you’ll be playing in the next few weeks, however, it will have to be at home, with no more than two distinct visitors a day.
Feature Image: Singapore Police Force (SPF)
Would you be jailed for being half-naked in public? Well, the answer will shock you. Seriously. Watch this to the end and you'll understand:
