Commission tightens grip on illegal machine supply

Press release

Date: 11 June 2010

The Gambling Commission (the Commission) again played its part in a joint operation as ten gaming machines were seized from two unnamed premises in Liverpool.

The machines (Category B4 and C) which were sited without permits or AMLD licences will now be destroyed by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the businesses involved will be required to pay a penalty of £250 for each one to HMRC. The unpaid duty on the ten machines was approximately £1200. In addition, £1,100 in cash was seized by HMRC from inside the machines. The Commission’s enquiries into the source of the supply continue.

The Commission has conducted a number of joint operations with HMRC and local authorities since it launched a nationwide drive targeting illegal suppliers of gaming machines in September 2008. Last month, in a similar operation, four gaming machines were seized from premises in Bolton.

The Commission’s Regional Compliance Manager for the North West, Alan Green, said:  
 
“Businesses supplying or making gaming machines available for use without a licence
risk action from the Commission or its co-regulators.

“The Commission supports the actions of HMRC, Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Police in tackling the illegal supply of gaming machines locally which contributes to our ongoing work at a regional and national level.”

HMRC spokesman, Martin McDonnell said:

“There are many business owners who are genuinely unaware that it is not just as simple as buying a gaming machine and setting it up.  Unscrupulous suppliers can exploit that lack of awareness, so we would urge businesses to make sure they only deal with suppliers who are properly licensed by the Gambling Commission.”  

Manufacturers and suppliers of gaming machines must be licensed by the Commission and businesses can see a list of licensed operators at www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk. Anyone with information regarding the illegal supply of gaming machines should contact the Commission’s new confidential intelligence line on (0121) 230 6655.

Ends

Notes to editors

The Gambling Commission

  1. 1. The Gambling Commission (the Commission) regulates gambling in the public interest alongside its co-regulators local licensing authorities. 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 and local licensing authorities are 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. Full details of operating licence requirements can be found at: www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/gamingmachines. 
  4. 4. Information on the Commission’s nationwide drive against the illegal supply of gaming machines can be found in the our press release. 
  5. 5. Further details about paying Amusement Machine Licence Duty can be found on the HMRC website. 

Further information

  1. You can call John Travers on (0121) 230 6700, (07852) 124624 or email him via communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.