10 arrested for illegal gambling

10 arrested for illegal gambling

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