Two men sentenced over illegal poker operation in Cardiff

Two men who ran an unlicensed poker venue from an industrial unit in Splott, Cardiff, have been given suspended prison sentences following a multi-agency investigation, the BBC reported on Monday.

The investigation was led by Tarian, the regional organised crime unit (ROCU) for southern Wales, with support from the GB7Gambling Commission, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and Cardiff Council’s licensing team.

Illegal gambling operation uncovered

Between August 2022 and February 2024, the industrial unit was converted into a commercial-style poker venue. 

During the inquiry, investigators discovered six poker tables, a spinning prize wheel, seating areas, fridges stocked with drinks and snacks, CCTV and a cashier’s window protected by Perspex. An office on site contained poker chips, tokens and records detailing money transactions. 

Access to the premises was reportedly via a fire exit.

Tarian stated that the poker games were advertised both in person and online. Mobile phone data revealed WhatsApp promotions for subscription-based online poker operated under the account “Fish Tank Online”. 

Initially, in-person games were promoted as “Ding Ding Poker” before rebranding to “Fish Tank Poker Cardiff”. 

Financial examination indicated that approximately £260,000 ($344,320) was deposited into an account linked to Noor Rassam and about £124,000 into an account linked to his co-defendant, Panayiotis Karayiannis. 

The investigation found the men had taken a commission – known in the industry as “the rake” – from each hand rather than betting against players.

Arrests and legal proceedings

In February 2024, warrants executed at the industrial unit and at addresses linked to the defendants resulted in arrests and the seizure of cash, documents, digital devices and other materials. Both men pleaded guilty on the first day of their trial to charges of possessing and transferring criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

On 2 October, Cardiff Crown Court sentenced both Rassam and Karayiannis to three years’ imprisonment, suspended for three years. A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing to consider confiscation and forfeiture is scheduled for 9 April 2027.

‘If you run an illegal casino, there will be a tip off’

Detective Constable Charles Lan of Tarian ROCU condemned the operation and said that the defendants had operated an illegal gambling business for their own financial gain, “generating substantial profits which were never declared for tax purposes and ultimately came at the expense of the wider public”. 

He further revealed the investigation found evidence that the organisers promoted their poker games to individuals involved in serious crimes, even boasting about the presence of drug dealers and organised crime group members at the events.

“The harm caused by this operation should not be underestimated. Individuals lost significant sums of money through these games, with some becoming indebted to the organisers,” said Lan. 

“Unlike legitimate gambling operators, there were no safeguards in place to identify or support vulnerable people, nor any measures to protect those experiencing gambling addiction.” 

Sue Young, executive director of operations at the Gambling Commission, reiterated the regulator’s firm stance against illegal gambling: “The message is clear – if you run an illegal casino, there will be a tip off, you will be caught and there will be significant consequences.”

Other raids across the country

The year has been peppered with similar raids across the UK, with the Commission and local police units combining efforts. Over £110,000 in cash along with a substantial quantity of gold was confiscated during coordinated raids targeting illegal gambling operations in Sheffield and Doncaster.  

Similar raids were commissioned in both Manchester and Bristol across the summer. 

At Bingo Association’s annual general meeting in May of this year, the Commission promised to intensify enforcement against illegal land-based gambling activities . 

The acting chief executive, Sarah Gardner, highlighted new government funding of £26 million allocated to the Commission over the next three years that would enhance efforts to tackle illegal gambling, especially in land-based venues.