Greater Manchester Police recently conducted an operation aimed at dismantling an illegal gambling ring in the city center, leading to multiple arrests and the confiscation of over £20,000 ($26,470) in cash.
The operation unfolded overnight on Monday, following the execution of four search warrants in Deansgate and adjacent areas.
During the raids, four people were apprehended. Among them, two men were arrested under different allegations. One man faced suspicion of money laundering and violating the Gambling Act by running unlicensed gambling operations. The other was arrested for licensing violations related to operating a late-night food takeaway without the essential permit. Additionally, two women were taken into custody on suspected immigration violations.
All four suspects are currently being held as investigations continue. The enforcement action stemmed from intelligence collected in a previous gambling investigation that occurred in May 2024, including information from mobile phones seized during that earlier operation.
In this latest crackdown, officials sequestered additional mobile devices, gambling tables, and detailed accounting records. The cash recovered, which exceeds £20,000, is believed to be proceeds from money laundering and was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
A recent assessment by the Gambling Commission revealed a notable increase in illegal gambling activities, particularly involving unregulated casinos that frequently engage in the acceptance of cryptocurrencies. These illicit operations are frequently linked to organized crime, serving as means to generate illicit funds and facilitate money laundering.
In a proactive response, the UK government has earmarked £26 million over a three-year period for the Gambling Commission to enhance interventions against illegal gambling.
PC Nial Vivian of Manchester’s City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating, "This work specifically targets reports of illegal gambling and premises operating without the appropriate licences." He highlighted the cooperative effort between Neighbourhood Policing officers, the Gambling Commission, and the Manchester City Council Licensing Team. Vivian noted that such partnerships are vital in developing further intelligence leads.
Sue Young, the executive director of operations at the Gambling Commission, reiterated the dangers posed by unlicensed gambling establishments. "Unlicensed operators often have links to wider criminal activity, exploit vulnerable people, and undermine legitimate regulated businesses," she commented, stressing the Commission's dedication to collaborating with law enforcement to disrupt such illegal venues.
This recent operation marks not the first joint raid executed by Manchester Police and the Gambling Commission. In June of this year, another similar operation was carried out, resulting in the arrest of a 33-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman on charges related to the Gambling Act 2005 and the Licensing Act 2003.
During that previous raid, officers uncovered gambling tables, chips, records, account books, alcohol, as well as cash and mobile devices. Investigators from the Financial Crime and Money Laundering teams supported the inquiry.
In nearby South Yorkshire, police recently confiscated over £110,000 in cash and significant quantities of gold in coordinated strikes against illegal gambling operations in Sheffield and Doncaster.
