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Case studies

Working with HMRC on illegal betting in pubs

A pub in St. Helens was subject to a multi-agency operation and subsequent investigation involving officers from St. Helens Council, the Gambling Commission, Merseyside Police and HM Revenue & Customs.

The pub manager pleaded guilty to providing illegal gambling under s37 of the Gambling Act 2005 (opens in new tab) at St. Helens Magistrates Court. He was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £930.

HMRC also imposed back-dated tax of £2,952 and penalties totalling £9,750 for general betting duty, failure to declare betting income and submit betting duty returns.

Bookmaker and pub landlord fined for illegal betting

Cumbria police entered pub premises and found the landlord at a table with racing papers, betting slips, a mobile phone, drinks and pens. He had been recording horse racing bets for customers.

The case was prosecuted by Allerdale Borough Council who were supported in their enforcement action by both the Gambling Commission and Cumbria police. The landlord and bookmaker pleaded guilty to two counts:

  • aiding and abetting the use of premises to provide facilities for betting when no appropriate licence was in force
  • providing facilities for gaming not holding a licence or being exempt.

The betting company, which no longer operates any betting premises, was fined a total of £4,500 and ordered to pay court costs of £625 and a £15 victim’s surcharge.

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