Today’s bulletin from the Gambling Commission confirms the setting up of a British panel to review the evidence and advice from the international panel of experts assembled last month on future research into high-stake, high-prize gaming machines. The British panel will ensure the relevance in the British context. There are seven members of the panel including Professor Peter Collins, Professor of Public Policy Studies at University of Salford and Professor Mark Griffiths, Professor of Gambling Studies at Nottingham Trent University.

The other members of the panel are: Professor Corinne May-Chahal, Professor of Applied Social Science at Lancaster University; Dr Crawford Moodie, Research Assistant at University of Stirling; Dr Adrian Parke, Lecturer at University of Lincoln; Dr Jonathon Parke, Lecturer at University of Salford; and Dr Gerda Reith, Senior Lecturer at University of Glasgow.

The Gambling Commission also reports that on 5 March a multi-agency operation led to five gaming machines being removed from four premises in Merseyside. The machines were confiscated from two premises in Liverpool and two premises in Wirral by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) who are continuing their enquiries into the non payment of Amusement Machine Licence Duty (AMLD) on the relevant machines.

Commenting on the operation, the Gambling Commission’s Director of Regulation, Nick Tofiluk said: “The Gambling Commission’s objectives include ensuring gambling is kept crime-free, fair and safe for all. We can best achieve this through co-operation and multi-agency working and this case is an example of that in action. This operation has also provided further intelligence on the illegal supply of gaming machines and our enquiries are continuing.”

Dave Gostelow from HMRC advised other businesses to take action to avoid possible sanctions: “The operators of these unlicensed gaming machines face assessment for unpaid Amusement Machine Licence Duty plus penalties. In addition to the machines being confiscated any cash found in them is similarly forfeited. We want to encourage business owners to find out the correct procedures for operating gaming machines legally and thus avoid these sanctions.”

Owners and operators of takeaway-style café premises in any doubt as to whether they are operating gaming machines legally or who have been offered gaming machines for their premises that seem suspicious are asked to contact their local authority or the Gambling Commission. (E-03.13.09)

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