On some occasions, when you’re caught breaking the law, you can plead ignorance.
Like: “Huh, must return my tray after eating at the hawker centre meh? I really didn’t know,” or maybe even: “Huh, cannot lie about my travel history so that I can serve SHN at home ah? Sorry, I was too tired at the airport.”
But when you’re caught breaking several laws, like gambling illegally, possessing controlled drugs, flouting COVID-19 safe distancing rules and the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, well, then you might as well handcuff yourself.
Believe it or not, that’s exactly what one group of residents here were caught doing recently.
11 People Arrested for Illegal Gambling, Drug-Related Offences at Zion Road Home
11 people have been arrested for several offences including illegal gambling, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said yesterday (22 Jun).
The offenders are aged 20 to 35.
On 18 June, officers conducted a raid at a home along Zion Road and found 10 men and one woman allegedly gathering and engaging in gambling-related activities.
They also possessed substances believed to be controlled drugs, cash, and gambling-related paraphernalia, which were all seized.
But that wasn’t it.
Eight of the men were found to possess e-vaporisers. They were referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for investigations under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.
All 11 alleged offenders will also be investigated for not complying with COVID-19 safe-distancing measures.
Police investigations are ongoing.
“The police take a serious view against all forms of illegal gambling activities and will continue to take tough enforcement action against those involved, in accordance with the law,” said SPF.
Members of the public should not engage in any form of illegal gambling and comply with the prevailing safe distancing measures, it added.
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.
Don’t start cowering under your table in fear that the police will bust down your door next, because 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.
Even if it’s for social gambling, you should adhere to the rules in place, which only permit five distinct visitors a day.
Feature Image: Singapore Police Force (SPF)
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
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