Greater Manchester Police recently executed an enforcement operation in the city center targeting an illegal gambling operation, leading to multiple arrests and the confiscation of over £20,000 ($26,470) in cash.
The raids occurred overnight on Monday as officers conducted four warrants in Deansgate and adjacent areas.
During this operation, four individuals were arrested. Among them, one man faces allegations of money laundering and violating the Gambling Act by running unlicensed gambling facilities. Another man is being investigated for licensing violations related to operating a late-night takeaway without the appropriate permissions. Two women were also detained on suspicions of immigration-related offenses.
All four individuals remain in police custody as inquiries continue.
This latest enforcement was informed by intelligence collected during a gambling investigation back in May 2024, which involved materials retrieved from mobile devices seized in an earlier operation.
In addition to the cash, officers confiscated mobile devices, gambling tables, and thorough records, indicating a network of potential money laundering. The seized cash is thought to be laundered and was taken under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
A recent GC money laundering assessment highlighted a notable increase in illegal gambling activities, particularly among unregulated casinos that operate without oversight and frequently accept cryptocurrency payments. Such operations are often linked to organized crime, aiding in both the generation of illicit proceeds and money laundering.
In response to the growing issue of illegal gambling, the UK government has dedicated £26 million over the next three years to the Gambling Commission to enhance efforts against such activities.
PC Nial Vivian from Manchester's City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team said, “This work specifically targets reports of illegal gambling and premises operating without the appropriate licenses.” He emphasized the successful collaboration between neighborhood officers, the Gambling Commission, and Manchester City Council’s Licensing Team, which will facilitate further intelligence gathering.
Sue Young, the Gambling Commission’s executive director of operations, reiterated the dangers posed by unlicensed gambling operators. "Unlicensed operators often have links to wider criminal activity, exploit vulnerable people and undermine legitimate regulated businesses," she said. Young affirmed the Commission’s ongoing commitment to working with police to dismantle illegal gambling venues, stating, "And that is why we are always keen to work in partnership with the police to crack down on illegal operations."
Earlier this year, in June, a similar raid involved Manchester Police and the Gambling Commission. In that case, 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. Officers seized gambling tables, chips, records, account books, alcohol, and cash during that operation, with additional support from specialists in financial crime and money laundering.
Just beyond the county lines, South Yorkshire Police recently confiscated over £110,000 in cash and a significant amount of gold during coordinated raids targeting illegal gambling in Sheffield and Doncaster.
