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PSNI

JACKPOT! Police seize over 100 gaming machines in illegal gambling sting

The roulette machines seized are worth an estimated £100,000 each.

OVER 100 GAMING machines have been seized by police in Northern Ireland, along with more than £500,000, during an operation in Belfast and Lisburn.

Detectives from the Organised Crime Branch investigating laundering and illegal gambling seized the gaming machines and three casino roulette machines, along with around £200,000 in cash.

The roulette machines are worth an estimated £100,000 each.

Arrests 

A 63-year-old man from Lurgan was arrested on suspicion of managing and organising illegal gambling and money laundering.

He was later released on bailed, but ordered to attend Musgrave police station in Belfast on 11 March.

In addition, officers from Home Office Immigration Enforcement arrested a man in his 40s on suspicion of an immigration offence.

Detective Superintendent Andrea McMullan, from Organised Crime Branch said it is believed that the casino and high stake gambling machines were being operated in premises in breach of the relevant licences.

In addition to the substantial amount of cash seized, we believe the three roulette machines have a value of £100,000 each. We seized a further 130 smaller gaming machines which are worth around £1,000 each.

Gambling 

The investigation also involved detectives and experts from the Gambling Commission UK.

The police said it worked with District policing colleagues and partners in the Gambling Commission and Immigration Enforcement to stop what it believes were premises being used for illegal gambling and money laundering.

“This multi-agency operation should serve as a clear warning to those who think they can operate outside the law that police are determined they will not succeed. Our enquiries are continuing.”

Read: RTÉ’s Storyland has cost at least €500,000 – here’s what we’ve got for it>

Read: Rolling in it – the richest counties in Ireland are…

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13 Comments
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    Mute Pauliebhoy
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    Jan 30th 2015, 7:49 PM

    Obviously a loyalist gang as you got the jackpot for 3 oranges

    156
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    Mute Bigus Diccus
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    Jan 30th 2015, 8:27 PM

    Welcome to the Red Hand Casino.

    43
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    Mute Juninho
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    Jan 30th 2015, 8:29 PM

    Union Blackjack

    61
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    Mute Frank
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    Jan 30th 2015, 7:35 PM

    The game is up for these criminals.

    44
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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Jan 30th 2015, 8:32 PM

    €10M for 100 gambling machines?

    40
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    Mute Patrick Cox
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    Jan 30th 2015, 8:15 PM

    I’m confused, is it £500,000 or £200,000 cash ?

    27
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    Mute Michael Lyons
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    Jan 30th 2015, 8:40 PM

    Gambling machines worth 100,000euro not ‘each’- wait for the update

    23
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    Mute Michael Lyons
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    Jan 30th 2015, 8:42 PM

    My bad, just the roulette tables are valued at 100k.

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    Mute Sean Mac Diarmada
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    Jan 30th 2015, 9:10 PM

    A businessman named Jim Kennedy became very wealthy in Dublin ,in previous decades, operating one armed bandit gambling machines, despite the fact that the maximum lega wager at that time was one old penny..
    He is an old guy now ,and his son is running his property empire from the Isle of Man.
    CAB were on his tail, but Frank Dunlop the chief witness against him for bribery and corruption of councillors, became very ill during the week of the trial, and the costly case was unfortunately abandoned.
    http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/court-date-set-for-kennedys-challenge-of-freezing-order-262434.html

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    Mute Joe
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    Jan 30th 2015, 7:52 PM

    Must have been SF as they love getting a cherry.

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    Mute Mark Sparky O Shea
    Favourite Mark Sparky O Shea
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    Jan 30th 2015, 7:56 PM

    Winner winner there’ll be no chicken dinner doh!

    10
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    Mute bigmac
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    Jan 30th 2015, 10:47 PM

    There used to be an old casino clandestine in the basement under the McDonalds on O’Connell bridge. I remember exploring a bit one day I was fixing the stockroom and seeing the basement extended right out under the footpath I took a peek and just seen loads of old plug sockets. I mentioned it to my mother and she said she knew many a person who lost their wages down there.

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    Mute jack frost
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    Jan 30th 2015, 7:59 PM

    Odda were against them

    5
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