Britain's Gambling Commission takes part in raids against illegal gambling in Manchester with four arrested and more than £20,000 seized

The Gambling Commission of Great Britain and the Manchester City Council Licensing Team have collaborated with the Greater Manchester Police on a series of raids against illegal gambling in four buildings in central Manchester. The regulator reported the operation on September 23, 2026.

During the searches, officers seized mobile phones, gaming tables, searches and account books. They also seized more than £20,000 in cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The operation ended with four arrests. Two women were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences. A man was arrested for allegedly running a takeaway establishment at night without the proper licence. The fourth detainee, also a man, is suspected of money laundering and violating the Gambling Act .

Sue Young, Executive Director of Operations at the Gambling Commission, said: "Unlicensed operators often have links to wider criminal activity, exploit vulnerable people and undermine legitimate and regulated businesses."

For his part, Officer Nial Vivian, of the Manchester Centre Neighbourhood Police Team, stressed that "this joint approach demonstrates our continued ability to solve problems in the city". He added that "intelligence gathering and the execution of four simultaneous search warrants have resulted in these results".

Vivian also assured that her team is "working intensively with our partners to place us at the forefront of the fight against illegal gambling and associated organized crime."