10 arrested for illegal gambling

Fri, 25 Jun 2004 | Source: AP

KUALA LUMPUR : Police arrested nine Malaysians and an Indonesian and seized laptop computers, televisions and other equipment in the latest raid in a crackdown against illegal betting on the Euro 2004 soccer tournament.

Cited by the Bernama national news agency, Ithnin said the group had taken up to 6 million ringgit (US$1.6 million) in bets on each of the tournaments games so far, including high-stakes bets of up to 800,000 ringgit (US$210,000).

Police seized five laptop computers, four satellite television decoders, 19 mobile telephones and two printers, Ithin said. The suspects face prison terms up to five years and fines of 200,000 ringgit (US$52,000).

European soccer is avidly followed by millions of Malaysians, and illegal gambling is common. Police said last month they expected a surge in illegal betting during Euro 2004 and announced a crackdown. -- AP

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