SINGAPORE ONLINE BOOKIE JAILED FOR SOCCER BETTING


4/18/2012 : SINGAPORE ONLINE BOOKIE JAILED FOR SOCCER BETTING
 
One year imprisonment and a hefty $390,000 fine illustrates Singapore's determination to stamp out illegal gambling
 
Part-time and definitely illegal Singapore bookie Goh Weng Soon will have time to reflect on his activities this week following a severe sentence of one year in prison and a fine of $390,000 handed down by District Judge Wong Peck on 11 counts of illegal sports betting.
 
A vegetable seller in his more usual life, Goh Weng Soon pleaded guilty after he was caught in possession of a week's wagers amounting to some $146,000, and was accused of handling for commission some $288,000 in online soccer bets for an unidentified Malaysian internet operator.
 
The $80,000 commission he earned on the arrangement is insufficient to pay the fine, and that may mean additional jail-time for the unfortunate grocer, reports the Straits Times newspaper.