Three men have been found guilty of a total of 42 offences under the Gambling Act 2005 relating to the operation of unlicensed adult gaming centres and a betting shop.
The convictions handed out on March 27 follow a Gambling Commission investigation into the illegal operation of premises by the defendants through a company called Agora Bet Ltd. The investigation commenced in May 2010 when the Commission seized gaming machine equipment and other assets from 10 premises at locations in London, the south-east and the south Midlands.
The convictions follow a six-day trial at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. The men have been committed to the Crown Court for sentencing and confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
“This prosecution sends out a message to those looking to profit from unlicensed gambling operations,” the Commission’s director of regulation, Nick Tofiluk, said. “Operators must be licensed in order to keep gambling fair and safe and the Commission will pursue individuals who offer unlicensed gambling facilities to the public.”
