Two arrested in illegal gambling raid in Manchester

Two people were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation targeting an alleged unlicensed gambling venue on Chester Road in Manchester city centre last week.

Officers from the Greater Manchester Police‘s City of Manchester team carried out the raid on 28 May alongside representatives from the Gambling Commission and Manchester City Council’s licensing team. 

A 33‑year‑old man and a 66‑year‑old woman were detained on suspicion of offences under the Gambling Act 2005 and the Licensing Act 2003.

Police reported that gambling tables, chips, records, account books, alcohol and other material were found at the premises. Cash and mobile phones were seized. Specialist investigators from the force’s Financial Crime and Money Laundering teams are supporting the inquiry.

“Illegal gambling can cause many issues – from disputes about cash to money laundering – and it is important that we shut them down whenever we come across them,” said PC Nial Vivian of the incident.

Greater Manchester Police and partner bodies said they conducted the visit as part of “partnership enforcement activity”. 

“Tackling all forms of illegal gambling is a focus for the Commission so we were keen to work in partnership with Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council on this operation,” said Sue Young, Gambling Commission Eexecutive director of operations in a statement.

Raid signals escalating crackdown on illegal gambling

The operation comes weeks after the UK government’s DCMS launched a dedicated illegal gambling taskforce, in response to growing concerns over the scale of unlicensed activity in the UK. 

It also formed part of wider regulatory efforts to identify and close illegal gambling operations. The Gambling Commission has emphasised that tackling unlicensed activity is a priority for the regulatory body.

In addition, the regulator has been allocated £24.5 million in government funding to bolster enforcement against illegal gambling, including underground land-based venues.

Enforcement has increased in recent years amid concerns about the rise of unregulated ‘pop‑up’ gambling and private gaming clubs.

Local licensing authorities play a key role in enforcing premises standards and ensuring operators hold appropriate permissions under the Gambling Act 2005, which requires licences and sets standards covering consumer protection, crime prevention and fair play.