Following an investigation into the suspected unlawful supply of gaming machines to businesses in the North West of England, officers from the UK Gambling Commission, accompanied by Greater Manchester Police and Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council officers, confiscated gaming machines from a property in Chadderton, Oldham and six betting shops in the North West region.

The Gambling Commission, which believes that the confiscated machines were being supplied without an operating licence, will be continuing its enquiries. Gambling Commission Regional Compliance Manager David Thornton said: “The Gambling Commission’s role is to ensure that gambling is crime-free, fair and safe and we will take action against those who supply gaming machines without an operating licence. We are grateful to Greater Manchester Police and Oldham MBC for their support in undertaking this operation.”

Manufacturers and suppliers of gaming machines must be licensed with the Commission. Betting shop operators must have both an operating licence from the Commission and a premises licence from their local licensing authority. Councillor Mark Alcock, Cabinet member for the Environment and Infrastructure at Oldham Council said “We will always support the Gambling Commission in ensuring that gambling is regulated and that breaches of the rules are acted upon”.

After the raids made on the betting shops in and around Oldham, Sergeant Kam Hare of Greater Manchester Police said: "We will continue to work with partner agencies to assist in safe guarding and protecting the community, aiming to bring those who commit offences to justice."

A draft reference document for British police services regarding their role and functions in the regulation of the gambling industry has been prepared by the Gambling Commission in order to provide a point of reference for police and summarising police powers under the Gambling Act 2005. A request for feedback on the document’s content has been made before a final version is published this Autumn. (E-06.16.08)

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