---
title: "Struggling with $750 maintenance, divorced man borrows $8k from loan shark to run illegal casino at chalet"
url: "/trending-now/struggling-750-maintenance-divorced-man-borrows-8k-loan-shark-run-illegal-casino-chalet"
published: "2026-11-01T06:42:31.000Z"
updated: "2026-11-01T06:42:31.000Z"
section: "Trending Now"
authors: ["Cherry Tan"]
tags: ["TNP News","Divorces","illegal gambling","casino","chalet","loan shark"]
---

# Struggling with $750 maintenance, divorced man borrows $8k from loan shark to run illegal casino at chalet

*A 37-year-old man who recruited six people to operate an illegal casino at a holiday chalet was jailed for two months and fined $20,000.*

A man borrowed $8,000 from loan sharks to set up an illegal gambling den at a holiday chalet, in order to fund monthly child support fees after his divorce.

The operation was busted during a police raid, with 27 people arrested, including the 37-year-old operator.

## Borrowed $8,000 from loan sharks

According to Shin Min Daily News, Lee Bing Qian came up with the idea of setting up an illegal casino in October 2025 but did not have enough money to get started.

He subsequently borrowed $8,000 from loan sharks to fund the operation, then assembled a team of six others to help run the gambling den:

- One responsible for transporting gambling equipment, including tables and playing cards, and keeping the financial records
- One driver who was hired for $15 per hour to ferry gamblers to and from the venue
- Two who looked out for enforcement officers
- One woman who rented chalets at the Civil Service Club in Loyang, receiving between $100 and $200 for each rental
- One woman who sold beverages and arranged loans for gamblers, receiving a two percent commission on each loan

Borrowers had to repay the money within 24 hours, and those who failed to do so would be charged an additional two per cent late fee.

At about 3am on Feb 25, police raided the chalet after receiving information about the illegal gambling operation and arrested a total of 27 people.

![Man borrows $8,000 from loan shark and hires 6 people to run illegal casino at holiday chalet](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/1f6aad129845fe31346f978aa33395a78a92b01a2635167948ddff261d0ab76d)
*One woman rented chalets at the Civil Service Club in Loyang, receiving between $100 and $200 for each rental.*

Among them were 17 gamblers, 11 of whom were above 65 years old, with the oldest being 84.

## Man struggled to find stable work after divorce

In mitigation, Lee’s lawyer, Riko Isaac, said his client had struggled to find stable employment after his divorce.

Lee has a Secondary 2 education and dropped out of school to work. He had previously held jobs as a waiter, cashier and car washer, earning about $2,000 a month.

His lawyer said Lee also suffered from asthma, which affected his ability to work for long hours and earn a stable income.

Following his divorce, his eight-year-old son was placed in his former wife’s care and Lee was required to pay $750 in monthly maintenance.

Isaac said Lee had struggled to meet the payments and had turned to illegal gambling operations out of desperation.

He had since acknowledged his wrongdoing and was remorseful, the lawyer said, asking the court to impose a lighter sentence.

The accused pleaded guilty to one charge under the Gambling Control Act.

He was sentenced to two months’ jail and fined $20,000. If he is unable to pay the fine, he will have to serve an additional month in jail.