Gaming machines seized
Press release
Date: 20 August
2007
A crackdown on illegal gaming in Manchester has resulted in five
illegal/unlicensed gaming machines being seized during a series of
raids on fast food outlets on the evening of Tuesday 14 August
2007.
Officers from the Gambling Commission, HM Revenue & Customs
and the Police targeted four fast food outlets within the
Manchester city centre and south Manchester that were using
unlicensed machines.
The confiscated machines were being operated without
permits and the Commission will be conducting continuing enquiries
with regard to the supplier.
Gambling Commission Compliance Manager David Thornton said:
"Protecting children and vulnerable people from being harmed or
exploited by Gambling is a key objective for the Gambling
Commission. Illegal gaming machines are often situated in premises
such as chip shops and takeaways which are frequented by
children.
"These illegal machines are unlicensed and unregulated and may
have had their mechanisms tampered with and this puts the public at
risk.
"We are determined to crack down on the suppliers and operators
of these illegal machines and are grateful to Greater Manchester
Police and HM Revenue & Customs for their support in
undertaking this successful operation."
Sergeant Gareth Parkin of Greater Manchester Police said: "The
vast majority of premises across Manchester are more than aware of
the licensing laws and act responsibly to keep their premises as
they should be. It is unfortunate there are a select few that
think they can act above the law and this kind of operation is here
to make it clear to them that they can't.
"We are pleased with the outcome of this exercise and the
premises in question will be continually monitored in the future.
We will also be ensuring that we are providing the necessary
guidance and advise to the licensees in order to support them
wherever we can."
For further information contact John Travers at the Gambling
Commission on (0121) 230 6700.
Notes to editors:
The Gambling Commission was set up in October 2005 under the
Gambling Act 2005, and has taken over the role previously played by
the Gaming Board for Great Britain in regulating casinos, bingo,
gaming machines and lotteries. From 1 September 2007 it will also
have responsibility for regulating betting and remote gambling.
Further information:
Gambling Commission, John Travers on 0121 230
6700 or 07852 124624
Rachel Bradley, GMP PR Officer for North
Manchester division on 0161 856 1327 or 07774 008 033.