The first men to be convicted of cheating under the Gambling Act 2005 have received prison sentences after being caught at The Casino at The Empire, London Clubs International's largest London venue.

Mehmet Mersin and Suleyman Arik were arrested at the casino on May 19, 2009, after they were caught executing a series of card swapping moves during a game of three-card poker. The men were responsible for at least seven cheat moves on the May 14 and 17, netting them a total of £5,115.  

The two men pleaded guilty to four charges brought under the Gambling Act at City of Westminster Magistrates Court last week. Arik was sentenced to six months in prison and is to be deported to Turkey, while Mersin, who has been linked to other poker scams in the UK, was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment and has been banned from entering UK casinos for 10 years.

Detective Inspector John Anderson of the Metropolitan Police clubs and vice unit said the pair had planned to continue making money through cheating.

“Through partnership work we are able to keep cheats on their toes,” he said. “I’d like to recognise the quick thinking security staff at The Casino at The Empire who picked up on the cheats and the staff who collated vital evidence that was so strong the pair pleaded guilty. This case should send a clear message that such offender can and will be prosecuted under the Gambling Act.”

The London Clubs compliance team is now finalising a compensation order for LCI in liaison with the Metropolitan Police.

Doug Reeman, head of security at London Clubs International, said the company takes crime and disorder “extremely seriously.”

“We are delighted with the convictions and hope it goes to show that we will not tolerate this type of activity and will actively pursue and support the prosecution of any person who is caught cheating in any of our premises,” he said. “Furthermore, we will have no hesitation in taking action to recover losses.”