-
Play it safe
-
With more young people picking up mahjong, what should lovers of the game be mindful of so as to keep on the right side of the law?
Responding to queries from The Sunday Times, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notes that, under the Common Gaming Houses Act (CGHA), gambling conducted in public places is a criminal offence.
"Social gambling between family and friends, such as the playing of mahjong with monetary stakes, in private places is not criminalised under the CGHA," it adds.
Mahjong is currently allowed as an exempted gambling activity for members of a private body such as a company or a society. They are allowed to place wagers as long as the group does not profit from the gaming nor allow any side betting on the premises. It also cannot allow members under the age of 18 to take part, says MHA.
Under the CGHA, it is illegal to gamble in a common gaming house, which is defined as a place accessible to the public or kept for habitual gaming, says head lawyer Gloria James of law firm Gloria James-Civetta & Co.
On the trend of people using online mahjong groups to recruit new players, Ms James says this may be considered illegal if the invitation is open to the public and the new player is a stranger.
Those found guilty of managing or assisting in managing a common gaming house can be fined between $5,000 and $50,000 and be jailed for up to three years.
Those found guilty of gaming in a common gaming house can be fined up to $5,000, jailed for up to six months or both.
She says the police will also assess whether the premises are kept primarily for gambling. "Even if the private gambling sessions are frequent, there is criminal liability only if the premises are kept primarily for the purpose of gambling - for example, premises with no use other than for gambling," she says.
Gamblers wishing to seek help can call the National Council on Problem Gambling's hotline at 1800-6-668-668.