Further machine seizures as fight against illegal supply continues in UK

The unpaid duty on the four machines was at least us$ 974. In addition, the businesses involved will be required to pay a penalty of us$ 374, for each one to HMRC. The Commission’s enquiries into the source of the supply continue.

The Commission has conducted a number of joint operations with HMRC and local authorities since it launched a nationwide drive targeting illegal suppliers of gaming machines in September 2008. In three recent similar operations, four gaming machines were seized in Bolton, ten in Liverpool and six in North Yorkshire.

The Commission’s Regional Compliance Manager for the North West, Alan Green said:  “Businesses supplying or making gaming machines available for use without a licence risk action from the Commission or its co-regulators. This is a further example of effective co-regulation tackling operators offering gambling outside of the law.”

HMRC spokesperson, Martin Mcdonnell, said: “These machines will now be destroyed. We estimate that the unpaid amusement machine license duty on these machines will be over us$ 7,499. In addition, the businesses concerned will also have to pay a penalty of us$ 374, for each unlicensed machine.

"There are many business owners who are genuinely not aware that it is not just as simple as buying a gaming machine and setting it up. We urge people to make sure they only deal with suppliers who are properly licensed by the Gambling Commission.”

Manufacturers and suppliers of gaming machines must be licensed by the Commission and businesses can see a list of licensed operators at www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk.

Anyone with information regarding the illegal supply of gaming machines should contact the Commission’s new confidential intelligence line on (0121) 230 6655.