Gaming machine suppliers warned after operator is convicted
Press
release
Date: 16 January
2009
The Gambling Commission has once more warned illegal suppliers
of gaming machines that it will prosecute those who supply gaming
machines illegally, as illegal machine supply is one of its key
priorities for enforcement action.
The warning follows the successful conclusion of the
Commission's first prosecution under section 242(1) and 243(1) of
the Gambling Act 2005, which took place in Birmingham Magistrates'
Court on 13 and 14 January 2009.
The court found Marc Darren Bird of Coventry guilty on eight
counts of making gaming machines available for use and eight counts
of supplying and maintaining gaming machines without an operating
licence. Mr Bird was committed to Warwick Crown Court, under the
Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, where confiscation proceedings and
sentencing will be considered.
Following the case the Gambling Commission's Director of
Regulation, Nick Tofiluk, said:
"The Gambling Commission is pleased to see this case concluded.
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.
"This case shows that the Commission will pursue those who
supply illegal gaming machines and won't hesitate to use its
prosecution powers when necessary."
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 fair and
safe.
Operators who supply or maintain gaming machines without a
licence risk prosecution.
Operators who are licensed by the Commission but supply machines
to premises which do not hold the appropriate authorisations to
make gaming machines available for use risk having their licence
reviewed.
Over the past year a number of investigations of suspected
illegal machine supply have been pursued and the Commission
announced a further drive to remove illegal suppliers last
September.
Operators of businesses who have any doubt about the legality of
where a gaming machine is sited, or have suspicions about gaming
machines that have been offered to them should contact the
Commission on 0121 230 6666. 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.
- 2. The Commission's objectives are: to prevent gambling
from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with
crime or disorder or being used to support crime; to ensure that
gambling is conducted in a fair and open way; and, to protect
children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited
by gambling.
- 3. The Commission is responsible for licensing and
regulating all 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.
- 4. Manufacturers and suppliers of gaming machines must be
licensed by the Commission.
- 5. When gaming machines are made available for use on
premises, the operators of those premises must either have an
operating licence from the Commission and a premises licence from
their local licensing authority, or a permit authorising the use of
gaming machines.
- 6. The gaming machines featured in the case did not award a
prize directly from the machine, but allowed players to obtain a
prize from the operator of the premises. Operators and publicans
with questions about the operation of such gaming machines should
contact the Commission on (0121) 230 6666.
- 5. The Gambling Act 2005 can be viewed online.
Further information
- Further information is available from the Commission's
website.
- Gambling Commission: John Travers on (0121) 230 6700 or
communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk