Gaming machines seized in Bolton joint operation

Press release

Date: 28 May 2010

The Gambling Commission (the Commission) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are conducting further enquiries after four gaming machines were seized in a joint operation in Bolton.

The operation was led by HMRC with support from the Commission and officers from Bolton Council and Greater Manchester Police. Two alcohol licensed premises were visited in Bolton and four Category C gaming machines were seized. HMRC are conducting ongoing enquiries with regard to the payment of duty and the Commission is looking into details of the original supplier.  

The Gambling 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 was very pleased to support the actions of HMRC, Bolton Council and Greater Manchester Police in tackling suspected unlicensed gambling.”

The Commission has conducted a number of joint operations with local authorities since it launched a nationwide drive targeting illegal suppliers of gaming machines in September 2008.

HMRC spokesman, Martin McDonnell said:

“The unpaid duty on these four unlicensed machines was £4,000. They will now be destroyed and businesses involved will have to pay a penalty of £250 for each one.

“There are many business owners who are genuinely not aware that it is not just as simple as buying a gaming machine and setting it up.  We would urge them to make sure they only deal with suppliers who are properly licensed by the Gambling Commission.” 

Alcohol licensed premises are permitted to make available two gaming machines (Category C or D) as a virtue of their premises licence. Manufacturers and suppliers of gaming machines must be licensed by the Commission. Those 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. Premises with a qualifying on-premises alcohol licence are automatically entitled to two gaming machines of category C or D but this entitlement is subject to them notifying the local licensing authority and paying the prescribed fee. Such premises can also apply to the local licensing authority for a licensed premises gaming machine permit, which, if granted, would allow for further category C or D machines to be made available on their premises.
  4. 4. Full details of operating licence requirements can be found in the gaming machines section of the Gambling Commission website.
  5. 5. Information on the Commission’s nationwide drive against the illegal supply of gaming machines can be found in the press release 'Nationwide drive targets illegal machine suppliers'. 

Further information

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