Three men summonsed for the illegal provision of facilities for gambling

Press release

Date: 22 June 2011

Summonses have been served by the Gambling Commission (the Commission) on three men aged 39, 48 and 57 with regard to a total of 42 offences under the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act). 

The summonses were issued following an investigation into the suspected illegal provision of facilities for gambling without an operating or premises licence being in place, contrary to sections 33, 37 and 242 of the Act. The investigation included the seizure of gaming machine equipment and other assets by the Commission, from ten premises operated by Agora Bet Ltd at locations in London, the south east and the south midlands in May 2010.

The three men will appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court on 8 July 2011.

The Commission will make no further comment on this case at this stage.

UPDATE: The trial will commence on 19 March 2012.

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. See the Terms & Conditions section of our website for information on legal advice.  
  4. 4. Details of offences under section 33, 37 and 242 are available online. 
  5. 5. A previous press release with regard to this investigation is available online.  

Further information

  1. Further information is available from the Commission's website. Gambling Commission: John Travers on (0121) 230 6700 or communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.