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Govt warns against illegal remote gambling as World Cup fever kicks off

SINGAPORE — Two individuals have been arrested and another 10 are being investigated for their suspected involvement in illegal remote gambling activities, the authorities said on Thursday (June 14).

Govt warns against illegal remote gambling as World Cup fever kicks off
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SINGAPORE — Two individuals have been arrested and another 10 are being investigated for their suspected involvement in illegal remote gambling activities, the authorities said on Thursday (June 14).

In a joint media statement on their latest enforcement activities, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development reminded the public that with the World Cup fever kicking off on Thursday, they will continue to clamp down on illegal remote gambling.

Between June 6 and 13, two individuals were arrested for their suspected involvement in providing illegal remote gambling services, while another 10 are being investigated for allowing their bank accounts and mobile lines to be used by illegal gambling websites.

The Remote Gambling Act, which the 12 individuals have been arrested or are being investigated under, makes all aspects of remote gambling — from operating, facilitating and promoting such activities to participating in them — illegal.

It also provides for a comprehensive blocking regime targeting websites that offer or promote illegal remote gambling, as well as electronic payments to operators.

Since February 2015, when the Act came into effect, more than 800 websites, 200 bank accounts and S$7 million worth of transactions have been blocked. Of this, 80 illegal gambling websites and six bank accounts used by illegal remote gambling operators have been blocked by MHA in March this year.

The ministries reiterated that the police will take "tough enforcement action" against those who flout the law and warned the public against placing bets with illegal remote gambling operators.

Under the Remote Gambling Act, individuals who place bets with illegal operators can be fined up to S$5,000, or jailed up to six months, or both.

Both ministries added that through community outreach efforts by the National Council on Problem Gambling and through media campaigns by the National Crime Prevention Council, they will be intensifying public education and outreach to warn the public of the dangers of problem gambling.

Those who wish to remain anonymous while seeking help for their gambling addiction can request for e-counselling via the National Problem Gambling Helpline 1800-6-668-668 or via webchat at www.ncpg.org.sg.

 

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