SBC News Hackney council seizes & destorys 38 illegal gambling machines

Hackney council seizes & destorys 38 illegal gambling machines

hackneyThirty-eight illegal gambling machines have been seized from seven businesses by Hackney Council’s licensing enforcement team, police and the Gambling Commission visited social clubs in the borough, on Friday 2 October, to remove unauthorised machines.

None of the seven premises had the correct licence to have the gambling machines, and they been previously warned to remove them by the council.

The machines taken included fruit machines, betting terminals and video poker machines. Businesses must have a licence issued by the council to legally have these machines on the premises.

Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor, Hackney Council  commented “In order to have machines like this legally, businesses must have the correct licence so that we can regulate them. This is so we can work to protect vulnerable people from harm, prevent gambling being associated with crime and ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way. If any business owner isn’t sure what licence they need, call the licensing team who will be happy to advise.”

Matthew Hill, Gambling Commission Director, Regulatory Risk & Analysis, said: “This is a great example of a licensing authority taking responsibility for dealing with gambling-related crime, working in partnership with the police and the Gambling Commission.”

The illegal machines seized are now liable to be destroyed. The owners have 28 days to claim the machines, if they want to dispute their legality.

Check Also

SBC News UKGC committed to measure evaluation of Gambling Review proposals

UKGC committed to measure evaluation of Gambling Review proposals

David Taylor, Head of Evidence Assurance and Evaluation at the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has outlined …

SBC News UKGC assists in illegal South Wales gambling bust 

UKGC assists in illegal South Wales gambling bust 

South Wales’ Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) has collaborated with the UKGC, HMRC and …

SBC News NHS: Sheffield clinic sees NGSN hit operating milestone

NHS: Sheffield clinic sees NGSN hit operating milestone

The NHS has reached an operating milestone in the support and development of the National …