Two people were arrested during a raid on an alleged unlicensed gambling venue on Chester Road in Manchester city centre on 28 May.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police’s City of Manchester team carried out the operation together with the Gambling Commission and Manchester City Council’s licensing team. A 33-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman were detained on suspicion of offences under the Gambling Act 2005 and the Licensing Act 2003.
Items seized from the premises included gambling tables, chips, records, account books, alcohol, cash and mobile phones. Specialist investigators from the force’s Financial Crime and Money Laundering teams are supporting the inquiry.
“Illegal gambling can cause many issues – from disputes about cash to money laundering – and it is important that we shut them down whenever we come across them,” said PC Nial Vivian.
The operation forms part of ongoing partnership enforcement activity between Greater Manchester Police, the Gambling Commission and local authorities.
Escalating crackdown on illegal gambling
The raid follows the UK government’s recent launch of a dedicated illegal gambling taskforce. The Gambling Commission has received £24.5 million in additional funding to strengthen enforcement against unlicensed operations, including underground venues.
Local licensing authorities continue to play a key role in enforcing standards under the Gambling Act 2005, which requires operators to hold appropriate licences and meet requirements on consumer protection, crime prevention and fair play.