A joint police operation between Singapore and Malaysia has successfully dismantled an illegal horse betting syndicate, arresting 16 individuals and investigating 41 more for their involvement in unlawful betting activities. The coordinated raids on illegal horse betting took place on June 11, 2025, targeting a cross-border criminal network operating in both countries.
In Singapore, 15 suspects aged between 50 and 78 were arrested during simultaneous raids conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and Special Operations Command for illegal horse betting. Meanwhile, a 53-year-old Singaporean man was detained in Malaysia by the Royal Malaysia Police. The police seized gambling paraphernalia, mobile phones, and over S$200,000 (approximately US$148,000) in suspected illegal proceeds, including funds held in three bank accounts.
The investigation revealed that illegal horse betting often rely on loosely organized networks of bookmakers, runners, and punters, many of whom are elderly individuals with long-term ties to underground gambling. Another 41 people aged between 47 and 84 are currently under investigation for suspected roles in the syndicate, including as bookmakers and punters.
Under Singapore’s Gambling Control Act, offenders face severe penalties. Individuals caught gambling with unlawful service providers may be fined up to S$10,000 or jailed for six months, while operators risk fines up to S$500,000 and imprisonment for up to seven years. Deputy Commissioner Zhang Weihan of the Singapore Police Force’s Criminal Investigation Department praised the strong cooperation between Singapore and Malaysia, emphasizing their commitment to dismantling transnational criminal gambling groups.
This crackdown on illegal horse betting, highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities to combat illegal betting and protect the integrity of legal gambling markets. For more updates on gambling news, visit our iGaming News section and explore latest casino news.
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