Punters may be able to place their bets online legally as early as the second half of next month – a move that appears calculated to counter illicit gambling on unauthorised websites.

The Straits Times has learnt that Singapore-based lottery operators Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club (STC) have applied to be exempted from laws that curb online betting and are looking to launch their online betting service once the applications are approved.

Responding to queries, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) would say only that it is evaluating applications from Singapore Pools and STC.

But ST understands that both lottery operators are running final tests of their online betting platforms and have prepared advisories to the area managers and customers. They are hoping to be exempted from the Remote Gambling Act by the end of this month.

Details are still being finalised but it appears that all lotteries and games, except for Big Sweep, will be available online.

But betting options will be limited.

It is also understood that the operators will be able to take live bets online.

Currently, punters can already place bets through their phones during an ongoing game or match.

Singapore Pools offers betting on football and motor-racing, as well as lottery games like 4-D and Toto.

STC takes bets for horse races.

The latest move to ease strict online gambling for the two operators comes two years after Parliament passed the Remote Gambling Act, which outlawed online and phone gambling. Hundreds of websites that offer remote gambling services have since been blocked.

But it was not a blanket ban – then Second Home Affairs Minister S. Iswaran said an outright ban could drive illegal remote gambling activity underground.

An operator could be exempted from the Act provided it was not-for-profit and contributed to public, social and charitable causes in Singapore.

Both STC and Singapore Pools are not-for-profit organisations operated by the Singapore Totalisator Board (Tote Board), a statutory board under the Ministry of Finance. Their gaming surpluses are channelled to the Tote Board to fund charitable and social causes.

But MPs then said the exemption clause sends mixed signals.

Allowing punters to place their bets online would make betting more convenient – but may also lead to a whole host of other problems, social workers warned.

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They have filed their papers and said their prayers.

Today, the six City Harvest Church (CHC) leaders at the centre of a multi-million-dollar financial scandal will return to face the courts again.

The marathon City Harvest trial begins again in the High Court, with both the defence and prosecution appealing.

The appeal will continue tomorrow and for the first three days of next week.

It will be heard by Judge of Appeal Chao Hick Tin, and Justices Woo Bih Li and Chan Seng Onn.

The six who have been convicted – including CHC founder Kong Hee, 52 – are arguing against their convictions and sentences.

The prosecution is appealing for longer deterrent sentences.

City Harvest trial verdict: All six accused found guilty of all charges

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Reuters, The Straits Times, AFP

In October last year, the six were convicted of misappropriating millions in church funds to fuel the pop music career of Kong’s wife, Ho Yeow Sun, in a church mission known as the Crossover Project.

The court found that they had invested $24 million from CHC’s building fund in bogus bonds from music production company Xtron and glass-maker Firna, and this money was in fact used to fund the Crossover Project.

Another $26 million was used to cover up the initial misdeed.

The six were handed jail terms ranging from 21 months to eight years.

Kong, singled out as the key man behind the scandal, was given the stiffest sentence.

Judge See Kee Oon had choice words for the charismatic pastor, who he said “acted consciously and dishonestly”.

“One does not need to be an expert in legality to appreciate certain fundamental aspects of honesty, truth and integrity,” wrote Judge See in his written judgment.

5 things to know about the City Harvest trial

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The Straits Times, The New Paper, City Harvest Church

Former CHC fund manager Chew Eng Han, 57, was handed a six-year term. Deputy senior pastor Tan Ye Peng, 43, was given a sentence of five and a half years.

Former church finance manager Serina Wee, 39, was given a five-year term. Former CHC finance committee member John Lam, 48, was sentenced to three years in jail.

Former church finance manager Sharon Tan, 40, received 21 months’ jail.

But the prosecution has described the jail terms as “manifestly inadequate”, noting that the case involved the largest amount of charity funds ever misappropriated in Singapore’s legal history.

The session starting today could be the final avenue of appeal for the six church leaders.

If their appeals fail, they can refer the case only up to the Court of Appeal with its permission – and only then if there is a point or question of law to argue.

dansonc@sph.com.sg

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