Greater Manchester Police executed an enforcement operation targeting an illegal gambling ring in the city center, leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of over £20,000 ($26,470) in cash. The operation occurred overnight on Monday, culminating in the execution of four warrants in Deansgate and surrounding areas.
As a result of the raids, four individuals were arrested. Among them, two men face separate allegations; one is suspected of money laundering and violating the Gambling Act by offering unlicensed gambling services, while the second has been detained for licensing violations tied to operating a late-night takeaway without the required license. Additionally, two women were apprehended on suspicion of immigration infringements. All four individuals are currently in police custody as investigations advance.
This enforcement action is a direct response to intelligence gathered during a prior gambling investigation in May 2024, which included insights obtained from mobile phones confiscated in that earlier crackdown.
During the recent raids, officers confiscated several mobile devices, gambling tables, and extensive records and account books. The cash seized, which totals over £20,000, is perceived to be proceeds from money laundering and was taken under the Proceeds of Crime Act. A recent assessment by the Gambling Commission (GC) has indicated a significant uptick in illegal gambling activities, particularly involving unregulated casinos that operate without oversight and often accept cryptocurrencies.
These illicit operations are frequently connected to organized crime, facilitating both the generation of proceeds and money laundering activities. In response to this growing issue, the UK government has earmarked £26 million across three years for the Gambling Commission to enhance actions against illegal gambling activities.
PC Nial Vivian from Manchester's City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team stated, "This work specifically targets reports of illegal gambling and premises operating without the appropriate licenses." He remarked on the collaborative effort among Neighbourhood Policing officers, the Gambling Commission, and Manchester City Council's Licensing Team, emphasizing that this partnership is vital for uncovering further intelligence.
Sue Young, the Gambling Commission’s executive director of operations, reiterated the dangers posed by unlicensed gambling operations. "Unlicensed operators often have links to wider criminal activity, exploit vulnerable people and undermine legitimate regulated businesses," she said, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to disrupting illegal gambling venues in cooperation with the police.
This operation follows a similar raid conducted in June, which witnessed a joint effort from Manchester Police and the Gambling Commission. During that operation, a 33-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman were detained on suspicion of violations under the Gambling Act 2005 and the Licensing Act 2003. Police found gambling tables, chips, records, account books, as well as alcohol at the site, alongside cash and mobile phones. Support for the inquiry is being provided by specialist investigators from the Financial Crime and Money Laundering teams.
In a related development, South Yorkshire Police also seized over £110,000 in cash and a significant amount of gold during coordinated raids against illegal gambling activities in Sheffield and Doncaster.
