SINGAPORE - Eighteen people were arrested on Wednesday (June 20) for allegedly participating in public gaming activities.

The 13 men and five women, aged between 35 and 78, were nabbed in police raids in Jalan Bukit Merah and Keong Saik Road, police said in a statement on Friday.

The Straits Times understands that the activities were mahjong and a card game called "13 cards", where bets were involved.

The suspects were found in shophouses and at a Housing Board void deck.

At one of the raid locations, the suspects had also collected illegal 4D bets.

They were arrested for offences under the Common Gaming House Act and a total of $1,649 in cash was seized, police said.

In the statement, police said that they take a serious view on all forms of illegal gaming activities and will continue to take tough enforcement action against those who are involved in such activities.

Anyone convicted of gaming in public may be jailed up to six months, or fined up to $5000, or both.

Investigations are ongoing.