Gaming machines seized

Press release

Date: 12 June 2008

The Gambling Commission has seized a number of gaming machines in a multi-agency operation in Oldham. 

The seizures were made as part of an investigation into the suspected unlawful supply of gaming machines to businesses in the North West.

In an operation involving officers from the Commission, Greater Manchester Police and Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council premises in Chadderton, Oldham were visited. Seven gaming machines were immediately seized with a further seven machines subsequently being removed from six betting shops in the North West.

It is believed that the confiscated machines were being supplied without an operating licence and the Commission will be continuing its enquiries.

Gambling Commission Regional Compliance Manager David Thornton said:

“The Gambling Commission’s role is to ensure that gambling is crime-free, fair and safe and we will take action against those who supply gaming machines without an operating licence.

We are grateful to Greater Manchester Police and Oldham MBC for their support in undertaking this operation.”

Sergeant Kam Hare of Greater Manchester Police said:  "We will continue to work with partner agencies to assist in safe guarding and protecting the community, aiming to bring those who commit offences to justice."

Councillor Mark Alcock, Cabinet member for the Environment and Infrastructure at Oldham Council said “We will always support the Gambling Commission in ensuring that gambling is regulated and that breaches of the rules are acted upon”.

Notes to editors

The Gambling Commission

  1. 1. The Gambling Commission (the 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.
  2. 2. The Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating all 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.
  3. 3. Manufacturers and suppliers of gaming machines must be licensed with the Commission. Betting shop operators must have both an operating licence from the Commission and a premises licence from their local licensing authority. 
  4. 4. Full details of the Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice can be found on this website.
  5. 5. This investigation concerns the supply of illegal gaming machines and is part of a wider programme of compliance and enforcement activity. The Commission is based in Birmingham and has a nationwide team of over 50 compliance managers.

Further information

Further information is available from the Commission’s website.

  • Gambling Commission: Contact John Travers on (0121) 230 6700, (07852) 124624 or email communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk
  • Greater Manchester Police: Louise Hughes (0161) 856 2220
  • Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council: Stephen Gregson (0161) 770 5033