In London, Haringey Council is continuing its war on illegal gaming machines with the confiscation of a further 16 machines – bringing the total number seized under its Operation Elgar to 119.
Operation Elgar is a multi-agency operation with the aim of removing illegal and unlicensed gambling machines from the area.
The third Elgar operation, which saw enforcement officers visit seven businesses, including social clubs, snooker halls and chicken shops, resulted in this latest batch of machines being seized. Among them were some described as the “most extreme” category, which resemble roulette machines.
"These machines,” said Councillor Nilgun Canver, “encourage people of all ages to spend impulsively which can result in anti-social behaviour when they suffer big losses.
“The very illegality of these machines is also of concern: who is supplying them, who takes the profits and who controls them?”
Haringey Council will continue to work with the police and the Gambling Commission and other partners to remove these from the borough unless used on licensed premises, he added.
