The Straits Times said the syndicates have found a loophole under which card games are permitted at wakes, usually held for several days, to keep people occupied while paying respects to the dead and meeting friends and relatives.

Most funeral wakes in this largely ethnic-Chinese nation are held in ground floors of public housing estates where tables and tents, complete with refreshments, are set up for visitors, with the coffin as the centerpiece.

The report said "runners" for syndicates scour obituary sections of newspapers to identify potential hosts for temporary gambling tables.

Regular gamblers are then told at the last minute where to turn up.

One gambler was quoted as saying that runners get about US$60 for clinching a deal with the dead person's family members, who get about $180 a night for allowing the use of a tent.

The runners also double as lookouts to spot police raiding teams.

Gamblers and dealers flee at the first sign of trouble.

Police told the newspaper that "games of chance" are allowed at wakes for "social interaction" but must not cause "noise pollution" in the surrounding area. Police added they will not tolerate the promotion of gambling at wakes.

Hosts of illegal gambling dens can be fined or jailed, along with the players and dealers.

The report came out as the government prepared to seek proposals from foreign investors for a major casino complex despite strong opposition from civic and religious groups.

Critics say a casino would create more gambling addicts and hurt families.

Proponents say it would boost tourism and stop the leakage of money to illegal gambling and foreign casinos where Singaporeans are regular players.

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