SINGAPORE - Seventeen people aged between 26 and 70 were arrested by the police during enforcement operations at gambling spots, clubs and pubs.

The eight women and nine men were arrested on Friday (March 2) in a series of enforcement checks by the Central Police Division, the police said in a statement on Saturday.

Most of the women were arrested during checks on public entertainment outlets in Jalan Sultan, Jalan Besar and Marina Bay.

Six of them - aged between 26 and 64 - were arrested for employment-related offences. One woman was employing workers without a working permit, while the other five were working without permits.

Another 32-year-old woman was arrested for obstructing a police officer in the course of duty.

Action will also be taken against the operators of these outlets for contravening licensing conditions.

The remaining woman and nine men, aged between 39 and 70, were arrested for gambling in public in Geylang Bahru and Kelantan Lane.

A total of $6,977 in cash was seized.

Under the Common Gaming House Act, any person found guilty of gaming in a public place may be jailed for up to six months and/or fined up to $5,000.

The police said they will continue to take tough enforcement action against those involved in such illegal activities.

Investigations are ongoing.