Police in South Yorkshire have seized over £110,000 ($148,522) in cash and a significant amount of gold during a series of coordinated raids targeting illegal gambling in Sheffield and Doncaster.
The raids, carried out on the nights of August 4 and 5, were part of operations named Duxford and Snaresbrook, designed to combat unlawful betting and related criminal activities.
This joint effort involved South Yorkshire Police, the Gambling Commission, the Yorkshire & Humber Regional and Organised Crime Unit, local authorities, and immigration enforcement. The raids were the culmination of weeks of intelligence gathering and meticulous planning.
During the enforcement actions at locations on London Road in Sheffield and Silver Street in Doncaster, authorities discovered 16 illegal betting terminals, alongside various forms of gold, including bars, coins, and jewellery.
Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the operation, facing charges related to gambling offences, possession of a bladed article, and immigration violations.
Inspector Amy Mellor from the South West Neighbourhood Policing Team underscored the importance of collaboration among agencies, describing the operation as “a true example of partnership working at its best.” She noted that the fight against illegal gambling would persist, as these operations are often intertwined with broader criminal activities.
“Illegal gambling isn’t a victimless crime. Unlicensed operators often have links to wider criminal activity, exploit vulnerable people and undermine legitimate regulated businesses,” said Sue Young, executive director of operations at the Gambling Commission. She emphasized that the recent actions serve as a warning to those involved in unlawful gambling operations, asserting that law enforcement will work diligently to dismantle such activities.
Richard Eyre, director of Street Scene and Regulations at Sheffield City Council, highlighted the local licensing teams' contributions in identifying evidence crucial to gambling regulation and public safety.
This incident marks the second raid involving the Gambling Commission in recent weeks. Just days earlier, two arrests were made in Bristol during a similar operation targeting an alleged illegal casino.
Additionally, a raid in early June uncovered gambling tables, chips, and records at a location in Manchester. In late July, the Gambling Commission elevated the money laundering risk level for the gambling software sector from low to medium due to concerns about cross-border software supply and the potential for licensed software to be resold to unlicensed operators. Peer-to-peer gambling products, such as poker and betting exchanges, have also been flagged as increased risks for money laundering.
