Two people have been arrested as part of a proactive investigation into reports of an illegal gambling premises operating in the city centre.

Thursday (28 May), officers from our City of Manchester team – working alongside colleagues from the Gambling Commission and Manchester City Council Licensing Team – visited a premises on Chester Road as part of partnership enforcement activity.

The work was specifically targeting reports of illegal gambling and a premises operating without the appropriate licences.

Two people – one man and one woman aged 33 and 66– were arrested on suspicion of two offences under the Gambling Act 2005 and Licensing Act 2003 respectively.

They remain in custody for questioning.

Within the premises were gambling tables, gambling chips, records, account books, alcohol, and other material. Cash and mobile phones have also been seized as part of the work.

Specialist teams from our Financial Crime Unit and Money Laundering teams are supporting the ongoing investigation.

PC Nial Vivian, said: “It is important that all businesses adhere to the laws put in place, and which is why we took action in the city centre yesterday.

“Illegal gambling can cause many issues – from disputes about cash to money laundering – and it is important that we shut them down whenever we come across them.

“We have worked closely with our partners in both the Gambling Commission and Manchester City Council.”

Sue Young, Gambling Commission Executive Director of Operations, said: “Tackling all forms of illegal gambling is a focus for the Commission so we were keen to work in partnership with Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council on this operation.”