Police have detained 63 people including 17 women at a gambling den in the middle of the forest in Kampung Batak, Sungai Ara near George Town last night.

Bukit Aman D7 Anti-Gambling Unit chief Deputy Supt Tan Tin Heng said a team of 10 personnel from the anti-vice, gambling and prostitution unit (D7) discovered the hotspot disguised behind a car workshop following public tip-offs and three days of investigations.

Tan said police conducted the raid at 9.30pm during which the gamblers, aged between 30 and 70, were unaware of their presence and a total of RM45,000 as well as various chips worth RM65,000 were also confiscated.

“Each bet can reach up to RM250,000 and there are even some who put up their personal belongings to continue the game,” he told reporters in George Town today.

He said those arrested were sent to the Timur Laut Police Headquarters for investigations under Section 7(2) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 which carries a fine of RM5,000 or jail of six months, or both.

- Bernama