Prosecution for illegally sited gaming machines in Gosport

Press release

Date: 30 September 2008

A multi-agency operation involving officers from the Gambling Commission, Hampshire Police and Gosport Borough Council has led to a prosecution for illegal gambling.

Earlier this month, at Fareham Magistrates Court, Mr. Cemal Gurel, aged 50, the owner of the Cemal Social Club, Gosport, Hampshire pleaded guilty to making seven gaming machines available for use without a valid licence.

Police obtained a search warrant as a result of information and consultation with the local authority and local Gambling Commission compliance manager, Rod Davis. Davis attended the raid in the early hours of 7 May 2008 along with police and local authority representatives and gave evidence on police video at the scene. The Commission's Technical Compliance Manager, Nigel Owen, provided an expert witness statement regarding all the machines seized.

Commenting on the case, local Gambling Commission compliance manager, Rod Davis said:

"The Gambling Commission's objectives include ensuring gambling is kept crime-free, fair and safe for all. We can best achieve this through co-operation and multi-agency working and this case is a fine example of that in action."

DC David Sheppard of Gosport CID agreed, saying:

"We value working in partnership with other agencies in tackling illegal activities and were pleased to work with the Gambling Commission and Gosport Borough Council on this operation."

Manufacturers and suppliers of gaming machines must be licensed with the Commission. When gaming machines are made available for use on specific premises then operators must have either; an operating licence from the Commission and a premises licence from their local licensing authority or, in some cases, a specific permit from their local licensing authority. 

The Gambling Commission has recently launched a nationwide drive targeting illegal suppliers of gaming machines. If you have any doubt as to whether your gaming machine is legal or you have been offered gambling machines for your premises that seem suspicious please contact the Commission on (0121) 230 6666.

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.  This investigation 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.
  4. 4. At a hearing on 1 September at Fareham Magistrates Court Mr. Camel Gurel was fined £700, must pay costs of £65 and victim surcharge of £15. Order of forfeiture made for seized monies totaling £1417.15. An order of forfeiture and destruction of 11 gaming machines was made.
  5. 5 More information on the Commission's nationwide drive against the illegal supply of gaming machines can be found on this website.

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.