Illegal gaming machines seized
Press release
Date: 17 October
2007
A crackdown on illegal gambling in Manchester resulted in
premises in Stockport Road, Levenshulme being raided this
week as part of a multi agency operation. Officers from the
Gambling Commission, Greater Manchester Police and HM Revenue and
Customs were responding to information provided by the local
community which resulted in two illegal slot machines being
seized and other equipment suspected of being involved in illegal
gambling.
“The aim of operations such as this is to get illegal gaming
machines out of circulation, as they may have had their mechanisms
tampered with and this puts the public at risk,” said Dale Allen,
the Gambling Commission’s local Compliance Manager.
“The Commission is determined to crack down on the suppliers and
operators of these illegal machines and we appreciate the
first-class support from Greater Manchester Police and HM Revenue
and Customs.
“We are also extremely grateful for the information which has
been readily provided by the local community that allowed us to
take action to stop this illegal activity. Our investigations will
now continue to focus on the suppliers of these illegal and
unlicensed machines.”
The premises were operating without premises licenses or permits
for the machines. Legislation contained within the recently
introduced Gambling Act 2005 dictates that these types of machines
can only be situated in licensed amusement arcades, bingo clubs,
betting offices and casinos.
The new Gambling Act provides legislation aimed at not only
regulating gambling but ensuring that measures are in place to
protect children and vulnerable people from being harmed or
exploited by gambling.
Notes to editors
- The Gambling Commission regulates gambling in the public
interest. It does so by keeping crime out of gambling, by ensuring
that gambling is conducted fairly and openly, and by protecting
children and vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by
gambling. The Commission also provides independent advice to
government on gambling in Britain.
- The Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating
commercial gambling in Great Britain other than the National
Lottery and spread betting, which are the responsibility of the
National Lottery Commission and the Financial Services Authority
(FSA) respectively.
Further information
For further information please contact:
Dale Allen 0121 230 6919 d.allen@gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Press officers:
Gambling Commission: Mark Lepkowski on 0121 230 6700
Greater Manchester Police: Tom Bassford on 0161 856 1374