Four more people have been arrested after evidence recovered during a May raid on an illegal gambling venue in Manchester led to further enforcement action by Greater Manchester Police.
The latest warrants were carried out in Deansgate and Manchester city centre. Officers seized £20,000, mobile phones and gambling-related materials, including tables, records and account books.
Immigration, money laundering and licensing allegations
Two men were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences. A third man was detained on suspicion of money laundering and suspected breaches of the Gambling Act.
The fourth arrest concerned suspected licensing offences linked to the operation of a late-night takeaway without a licence.
Greater Manchester Police said the latest action followed evidence found during the May operation, including information extracted from seized mobile devices. Separate raids in May resulted in the arrests of Tsz To Kwok, 33, and Wing Suet Mak, 67.
PC Nial Vivian said the force was working with partner agencies to disrupt illegal gambling and related organised crime.
“As a force, we are working hard with our partners towards being at the forefront of tackling illegal gambling and associated organised criminality. We will continue to build on the intelligence and take further action where appropriate,” he said.
“This work specifically targets reports of illegal gambling and premises operating without the appropriate licences.”
The warrants were supported by the Gambling Commission (GC). Sue Young, the UK regulator’s Executive Director of Operations, said unlicensed gambling businesses can be connected to criminal activity, damage regulated operators and put vulnerable people at risk.
Wider risks linked to illegal venues
Enforcement operations elsewhere in the UK have highlighted similar concerns. Police action in Birmingham last year found an unlicensed casino believed to be targeting overseas students.
The venue was using infrared cameras to identify specially marked cards, with the information then passed to another person participating in the game.
West Midlands Police said at the time: “Unfortunately, we know that overseas students are often targeted by organised criminals who gain influence over them through illegal gambling nights, sometimes coercing them into other criminal activities.”
