SINGAPORE – Thirteen people – nine men and four women – have been arrested for their suspected involvement in issuing illegal loans to players at the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) casino.
The suspects, aged between 30 and 65, were lending money illegally to gamblers there, initial investigations show.
Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department carried out a crackdown on the syndicate on Wednesday, with help from the Police Intelligence Department, the Casino Regulatory Authority and MBS.
Six suspects were charged in court yesterday under the Moneylenders Act. Investigations into the remaining suspects are ongoing.
Under the Moneylenders Act, those found guilty of operating or helping in the operating of a loan-shark business may be fined between $30,000 and $300,000, jailed for up to four years and liable for up to six strokes of the cane.
Reformed gambler Phillip Lee used to borrow $1,000 to $5,000 from illegal lenders because they offered cash on the spot.
“You are in the heat of the moment, and it’s too troublesome to go to the bank or moneylender outside,” said Mr Lee, 61, now a gambling support group facilitator at One Hope Centre, which counsels gamblers.
“These runners are quite common here, and usually hand over the chips or cash in broad daylight or in the toilet,” he said.
The Casino Regulatory Authority said it will continue to work closely with the police.
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13 suspects arrested over illegal loans to casino players
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