Greater Manchester Police recently conducted a targeted operation against illegal gambling in the city center, resulting in the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of over £20,000 ($26,470) in cash.
This operation unfolded overnight on Monday when authorities executed foursearch warrants in Deansgate and nearby areas.
During the raids, police apprehended two men and two women. One man faces charges for money laundering and for allegedly providing unlicensed gambling facilities, while the other is suspected of licensing violations related to operating a late-night takeaway without the necessary permits. The two women were arrested on suspicions of immigration offenses. All four remain in police custody as investigations proceed.
This enforcement action builds on intelligence gathered during an earlier gambling investigation in May 2024, which included data from mobile phones seized at that time.
In this latest crackdown, officers also confiscated additional mobile devices, gambling tables, and thorough records and account books. The cash seized is believed to originate from money laundering activities and was taken under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
A recent assessment by the Gambling Commission identified a marked increase in illegal gambling, particularly at unregulated casinos often accepting cryptocurrencies. Such operations are frequently linked to organized crime, serving as vehicles for generating illicit proceeds and laundering money.
In response to the escalating issue, the UK government has set aside £26 million over three years for the Gambling Commission to enhance measures against illegal gambling.
PC Nial Vivian from Manchester's City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team noted the importance of this collaborative effort. "This work specifically targets reports of illegal gambling and premises operating without the appropriate licences. This was a good team effort involving Neighbourhood Policing officers and our partners at the Gambling Commission and Manchester City Council Licensing Team," he said, emphasizing that their cooperation would lead to the identification of further intelligence leads.
Sue Young, the Gambling Commission’s executive director of operations, expressed similar concerns about unlicensed gambling operations. "Unlicensed operators often have links to wider criminal activity, exploit vulnerable people and undermine legitimate regulated businesses," she stated. Young underscored the Commission's commitment to collaborating with the police to disrupt such venues, stressing their eagerness to partner in cracking down on illegal operations.
This operation is not isolated; a similar raid occurred in June, conducted jointly by Manchester Police and the Gambling Commission, during which a 33-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of offences under both the Gambling Act 2005 and the Licensing Act 2003. Police seized gambling tables, chips, documents, alcohol, and cash during that incident, with financial crime specialists involved in the investigation.
In nearby South Yorkshire, police confiscated over £110,000 in cash and a significant quantity of gold in coordinated actions against illegal gambling operations in Sheffield and Doncaster.
