Bareskrim raids casino in Nagoya Batam, 197 people detained

Batam (ANTARA) - The Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Indonesian National Police, together with the Riau Islands Regional Police and Barelang Resort Police, detained 197 people in a raid on suspected casino-type gambling in the Nagoya area of Batam.

Deputy Chief of Bareskrim Polri Inspector General Nunung Syaifuddin said in Batam on Sunday that the raid was carried out on Saturday (15/8) at around 9.30 p.m. Western Indonesia Time at a shophouse in the Nagoya area.

“This investigation has been carried out for quite a long time, two to three months ago. It began with information from the public and also from media colleagues in Batam. We took the step of raiding for suspected criminal acts of casino-type gambling,” said Nunung.

Of the 197 people detained, police are still identifying their respective roles. They consist of the owner or party referred to by the initial A, two managers, five cashiers, one supervisor, 25 chip exchangers, 65 dealers or bookmakers, two marketing staff, and 96 players.

“Among them are seven Chinese nationals, two Singaporean nationals and one Malaysian national,” he said.

Police also seized cash amounting to around Rp7.297 billion stored in three safes. In addition, money from chip exchange activities reached around Rp500 million, bringing the total cash seized to around Rp7.79 billion.

Besides money, officers confiscated various gambling facilities, namely 16 trophy machines, 54 skater machines, 20 mahjong machines, one dice machine, and 14 fish shooting machines.

A number of gaming chips were also seized and are still being counted.

“There are certainly more. We are developing this activity until all can be determined who the core players are, according to their respective roles,” he said.

He said the investigation of the case would be handled by Bareskrim Polri. Parties with primary roles will be taken to Jakarta to undergo further legal proceedings.

Head of Public Relations of the Riau Islands Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Nona Pricillia Ohei, said police are still examining all detained parties and investigating the evidence found in the raid.

Investigators are also applying Article 607 paragraph (1) letters a, b, and d of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning money laundering offences. The criminal penalty for such gambling offences reaches 15 years in prison.

Nunung also reminded business operators of night entertainment venues and game arcades in Batam City not to run gambling activities.

“If they do not close immediately, I will take firm action,” he said.