Further machine seizures as fight against illegal supply continues

Press release

Date: 1 July 2010

The Gambling Commission (the Commission) again played its part in a joint operation as four gaming machines were seized from a single unnamed premises in Manchester.

The machines, which offered prizes of between £25 - £250, were sited without permits or AMLD licences and will now be destroyed by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The unpaid duty on the four machines was at least £650. In addition, the businesses involved will be required to pay a penalty of £250 for each one to HMRC. 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. In three recent similar operations, four gaming machines were seized in Bolton, ten in Liverpool and six in North Yorkshire.

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 a further example of effective co-regulation tackling operators offering gambling outside of the law.”

HMRC spokesperson, Martin Mcdonnell, said:

“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 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 for gaming machines are available on our website.
    4. 4. Information on the Commission’s nationwide drive against the illegal supply of gaming machines is in this 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.