Gambling operators prove safe bet in Manchester operation
Press release
Date: 24
February 2010
As part of a wider community safety initiative led by Greater
Manchester Police, the Gambling Commission (the Commission) visited
more than 30 licensed gambling premises in Manchester City Centre
last week (Friday 19 February).
Members of the Commission’s local Compliance team joined Police
Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in making joint visits to adult
gaming centres, betting shops and casino premises in Manchester
City Centre.
The visits gave gambling operators an opportunity to discuss
community safety issues with PCSOs as well as being an intelligence
gathering exercise for the Commission in ensuring licensed gambling
operators comply with our requirements.
The work formed part of 'Operation Portcullis' which aims
to make Manchester even safer for people who come to the city for a
night out.
The Commission’s local Compliance Manager, Mohammed Shafiq
said:
“Operation Portcullis is a further example of successful joint
working in action.
“The gambling premises we visited have established policies and
procedures in place to keep gambling fair and safe for people going
out in Manchester.
“We discussed the need for operators to continually monitor
their controls and operators were very pleased to build their
relationship with their local PCSO.”
Ends
Notes to editors
The Gambling Commission
- 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. 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. Greater Manchester Police
website.
Further information
- You can call John Travers on (0121) 230 6700, (07852) 124624 or
email him via communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.