According to the Chinese daily, certain HDB void decks in the Aljunied Crescent area are being used for illegal betting on horse races.
Calling the void decks a “neighbourhood casino,” the publication reported that about 20 middle-aged residents show up on race day, where the operators of the illegal betting “openly receive the bet.”
A reporter representing the Chinese daily recently visited the area on the day of a horse race and saw several residents gathered around the blocks where the operation takes place.
Residents who have lived in the area for decades told the publication that the betting den was silent for several years before it was revived just a few years ago. One resident, who admitted that her grandmother participates in the betting, revealed that many in the area are older residents.
Revealing that those who participate in the betting are “gamblers who lost money and were unable to pay their debts,” the resident added that there are certain individuals who even lend money to other residents in the area by approaching them at the foot of the HDB blocks.
In Singapore, underground betting is an offence prohibited by the Betting Act. Betting is only legal through approved organisations like Singapore Pools that can conduct public betting through its outlets which are scattered around the nation. -/TISG