Police scored against illegal gambling in Euro Cup

JOHOR BARU: State police scored a major goal against illegal gambling, arresting 70 bookies and seizing over RM44mil in bets throughout the recently concluded UEFA European Championship 2020 tournament.

State police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said 54 raids were carried out under Ops Soga VIII between June 12 and July 12 in several locations around Johor.

“We arrested the suspects, including a woman, believed to be bookies aged between 17 and 65 during the operation.

“At the same time, police also seized RM42,535 in cash from the suspects,” he told reporters at the state police headquarters here on Wednesday (July 14).

Comm Ayob said all the suspects were being remanded for between two and four days to assist with the investigations.

All the suspects, he said, were part of different gambling syndicates operating at various premises, including residential areas, to avoid detection.

“Police are able to conduct such a successful operation, thanks to intelligence gathering and public cooperation,” he said.

The suspects were being investigated under Sections 4(1)(d), 6(1) and 6(3) of the Betting Act 1953, said Comm Ayob.