Nationwide drive targets illegal machine suppliers
Press release
Date: 18 September
2008
The Gambling Commission has today warned machine suppliers that
time is rapidly running out for those who persist in ignoring the
Gambling Act 2005.
The Commission has identified illegal machine supply as one of
its key priorities for enforcement action. The Commission’s
Compliance and Enforcement team will be targeting illegal operators
across the country in a renewed drive to rid the industry of the
illegal trade.
Operators who supply or provide gaming machines for use must
have a licence from the Gambling Commission, in line with the 2005
Act. Licensed operators conform to strict technical and
social responsibility requirements in order to keep gambling safe
and fair.
Operators who fail to obtain a licence risk closure and
prosecution. Suppliers who are licensed by the Commission but
supply machines to sites not holding the appropriate permissions
also risk having their licence reviewed.
The Gambling Commission’s Director of Operations Nick Tofiluk
said:
“It’s in everyone’s interest to put a stop to the illegal supply
of gaming machines. Too many machines are being supplied
illegally to benefit criminals at a cost to both society at large
and the legitimate gambling industry.
“The licensed industry can help us by ensuring machines are
supplied by licensed operators and by adding to our growing
intelligence in this area.”
Over the past year a number of specific investigations of
suspected illegal machine supply have been pursued.
The Commission has already given notification to a number of
suspected illegal suppliers who must act now to avoid prosecution.
Their premises will receive follow-up visits from Commission
officials alongside local authority and HMRC representatives in the
next month. In the following months, prosecutions and seizures of
machines will begin in cases where the Commission has continued
concerns about an individual operator.
The Commission is calling on licensed operators to throw their
weight behind the move by passing on any further intelligence they
may have about illegal machine supply. A register of machine
suppliers licensed by the Commission, is updated daily and
published on the Gambling Commission’s website.
Notes to editors
The Gambling Commission
- 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. 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. Manufacturers and suppliers of gaming machines must be
licensed with the Commission. Other gambling operators must have
either a specific permit or an operating licence from the
Commission and a premises licence or permit from their local
licensing authority in order to offer gaming machines.
- 4. Full details of the Commission’s Licence Conditions and
Codes of Practice.
- 5. This investigation concerns the illegal supply of
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.
- 6. Operators with information about illegal suppliers should
contact the Gambling Commission in confidence on (0121) 230
6666.
- 7. The register of licensed operators is available.
Further information
Further information is available from the Commission’s
website.
Telephone John Travers on (0121) 230 6700, (07852) 124624 or
email communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk