Five figure bill for illegal supplier as Commission turns the screw on unlicensed gaming machine businesses

Press release

Date: 13 August 2010

Following the conviction of an illegal supplier of gaming machines, the Gambling Commission (the Commission) has once more warned that it will prosecute those who persist in supplying gaming machines illegally.

The warning follows the successful prosecution under section 242(1) of the Gambling Act 2005, at Bootle Magistrates' Court this week. Peter Croome, aged 32 of Southport, pleaded guilty to 24 counts of making gaming machines available for use without an operating licence.

The court imposed a fine of £2,700 as well as awarding £10,000 costs to the Commission. The court also ordered that £2,130 seized from Peter Croome to be forfeit along with 20 gaming machines - all of which will be destroyed.

Following the case the Commission's Director of Regulation, Nick Tofiluk, said:

"It's in everyone's interest to put a stop to the illegal supply of gaming machines which benefits criminals at a cost to both society at large and the legitimate gambling industry.

"This case demonstrates the Commission’s determination to pursue those who supply illegal gaming machines and shows that we will use our prosecution powers when necessary."

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, can contact the Commission in confidence on 0121 230 6655. A register of machine suppliers licensed by the Commission is updated daily and published on the Commission's website.

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 in the gaming machine section of the website.
  4. 4. A number of other investigations of suspected illegal machine supply have been pursued leading to two prosecutions, seven criminal cautions with a number of previously unlicensed suppliers being required to get a licence. 

Further information

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