Illegal gambling machines seized in council crackdown

Credit: Hackney Council

 The council’s gambling crackdown includes the seizure of illegal machines Pic: Hackney Council

Thirty-eight illegal gambling machines have been seized from seven Hackney social clubs as part of a council crackdown on gambling.

Fruit machines, video poker machines and betting terminals were removed by Hackney Council’s licensing enforcement team, police and the Gambling Commission last Friday.

None of the seven businesses had the correct licence for the unauthorised gambling machines, and had previously been warned to removed them by the council.

Councillor Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor of Hackney, said: “In order to have machines like this legally, businesses must have the correct licence so that we can regulate them.”

“This is so we can work to protect vulnerable people from harm, prevent gambling being associated with crime and ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way.”

The illegal machines are now liable to be destroyed, a Council spokesperson said.

The owners have 28 days to claim the machines, if they want to dispute their legality.

Matthew Hill, Gambling Commission Director, said: “This is a great example of a licensing authority taking responsibility for dealing with gambling-related crime, working in partnership with the police and the Gambling Commission.”

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