Singapore Pursues Legal Action Against Billionaire Family Member Over Remote Gambling

Kho Bin Kai, son in-law of billionaire Peter Lim, has found himself on the wrong end of Singapore’s stringent online gambling laws. Facilitating access to illegal online casino games in Singapore carries a heavier sentence than illegally gambling online oneself.

The charge against Kho alleges he assisted an unknown Singaporean to access remote gambling services at an unlicensed operator.

✓Singapore Vs Kho Bin Kai

The case brought against Kho Bin Kai alleges that he contravened explicit Singaporean laws by “facilitating remote gambling” under the direction of an unnamed third party code-named “Ah Leong”.

The charge alleges that Kho created the username “KBT12” which was used by in use from 15-27 July 2019. Given the harsh laws for providing access to illegal online casino games, it might serve Kho to prove the account is his rather than that it was for a 3rd party.

✓Singaporean Gambling Law

The government, however, is currently withholding an official statement on the extent of the charges against Kho until they completed a forensic audit on several mobile phones they believe were used in this illegal operation.

Singapore’s Remote Gambling Act of 2104 is explicit and therefore doesn’t leave much room for interpretation:

“Providing these illegal online gambling services to Singaporeans can lead to fines of between S$20,000 ($14,400) and S$200,000 ($144,000), up to five years in jail, or both.”

There might be some room for “negotiation” around whether by creating an account Kho can be considered to be “providing these illegal online gambling services” or if the casino in question the party legally seen as the “provider” in such cases.

✓Wait And See

Kho has been released on a $25,000 bail and must appear in court on October 8th, where the state will present the evidence it has gleaned from the confiscated mobiles.

If found guilty, Kho can expect to face the maximum sentence of $144,000 fine and 5 years in prison as Singapore seeks to stamp out illegal gambling activities in support of their two licenced gambling operators, the Singapore Turf Club and Singapore Pools.