Greater Manchester Police Target Illegal Gambling with Overnight Raids and Multiple Arrests

Greater Manchester Police executed four warrants in Manchester City Centre, resulting in the arrest of four men. Two were held on suspicion of immigration offences. One man was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and breaching the Gambling Act. Another faced suspicion of licensing offences for running a late-night takeaway without a licence.

Officers seized over £20,000 in cash together with mobile phones and gambling-related equipment. The operation drew on intelligence from a similar raid in May. Wing Suet Mak and Tsz To Kwok, arrested in that earlier action, are due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court next week.

Joint Enforcement Against Unlicensed Activity

PC Nial Vivian of the Manchester City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team described the priority as responding to community needs and bringing criminality to justice. “This work specifically targets reports of illegal gambling and premises operating without the appropriate licences,” Vivian said. He noted the joint approach with partners at the Gambling Commission and Manchester City Council Licensing Team.

The raids form part of wider efforts to tackle illegal gambling and associated organised criminality. According to reporting by SBC News, the Gambling Commission continues to focus on unlicensed operators. Sue Young, Gambling Commission Executive Director of Operations, stated that such operators “often have links to wider criminal activity, exploit vulnerable people and undermine legitimate regulated businesses.” Young added that the Commission is keen to partner with police to address these operations.

Pattern of Similar Enforcement Actions

The Manchester case aligns with a prior incident in Birmingham where four individuals were arrested for running an illegal gambling den. West Midlands Police warned that underhanded tactics targeted overseas students. A three-year German investigation dismantled eleven illegal premises with total stakes approaching €6bn (£5.1bn). Recent actions have also disrupted rings in Cambodia and Vietnam.

These cases illustrate the persistent challenge of unlicensed gambling and the coordinated responses it now attracts from law enforcement and regulators.

Reporting: SBC News

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