Joint operation moves out machines in the north-west

Press release

Date: 22 March 2010

The Gambling Commission (the Commission) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)  are conducting further enquiries after six gaming machines were seized in a joint operation in the Manchester, Preston and Salford areas.

The Commission, with support from councils in Manchester and Preston councils, HMRC and officers from Greater Manchester Police and Lancashire Police, identified the machines in five different premises as part of an ongoing Commission investigation into the alleged illegal supply of gaming machines. The move followed a recent related seizure of two gaming machines from premises in Leyland, Lancashire in a joint operation with South Ribble Borough Council.

The premises visited included takeaway style and alcohol licensed premises. The machines seized included both Category C (£70 prize) and Category B4 (£250 prize). HMRC will now destroy the machines and is conducting ongoing enquiries with regard to the payment of duty.

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.

“This is another good example of joint working helping us to combat the illegal supply of gaming machines and our investigation into the source of these gaming machines is active.”

HMRC spokesman Ron Barrie added:

“These machines will now be destroyed. We estimate that the unpaid amusement machine licence duty on these machines will be over £5,000. In addition, the businesses concerned will also have to pay a penalty of £250 for each unlicensed machine.

“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 urge people 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. Those with information regarding the illegal supply of gaming machines should contact the Commission on (0121) 230 6666.

Ends

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. Full details of operating licence requirements can be found on the Commission's website. 
  4. 4. These investigations concern the supply of illegal gaming machines and 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. 
  5. 5. Information on the Commission’s nationwide drive against the illegal supply of gaming machines can be found on the Commission's website.
  6. 6. 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.  
  7. 7. The Commission has conducted more than 20 joint operations with local authorities since it launched a nationwide drive targeting illegal suppliers of gaming machines in September 2008. 

Further information

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