Two Men Sentenced over Illegal Poker Operation in Cardiff

CARDIFF, Wales – Two men received suspended prison sentences for handling criminal funds generated by illegal poker games run from a Cardiff industrial unit. Both were given three-year prison terms suspended for three years, with a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing set for April 9, 2027.

Noor Rassam, 29, of Pentwyn, and Panayiotis Karayiannis, 30, of Pontprennau, operated the poker games from an upstairs room at an industrial estate in Splott between August 2022 and February 2024.

The premises contained six poker tables, a spinning prize wheel, seating areas and refrigerators stocked with drinks and snacks. The Gambling Commission said the case developed after it received information about the illegal operation.

Joint Investigation Targeted Cardiff Gambling Operation

Warrants were executed in February 2024 by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit, working with the Gambling Commission, HM Revenue and Customs and Cardiff Council’s Licensing Department. Officers searched the industrial unit as well as residential and business addresses connected to the two men.

Rassam and Karayiannis both admitted possessing criminal property and transferring criminal property, offenses under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The scheduled April 2027 hearing will address matters under the same legislation following their sentencing.

“This case emerged after we received information about an illegal gambling den. 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.”

Sue Young
Executive Director of Operations, Gambling Commission

Police Cite Links to Serious Criminality

Tarian said its investigation uncovered evidence that the poker games were promoted to people involved in serious criminality. Detective Constable Charles Lan said the organizers had also boasted about drug dealers and members of organized crime groups attending the games.

Investigators said the operation generated substantial undeclared profits and provided financial benefits to the two men, including spending on foreign holidays and other high-value purchases. Authorities also said some participants lost significant sums and became indebted to the organizers.

Police emphasized that the unlicensed operation did not provide the safeguards required of legitimate gambling businesses, including measures intended to identify and assist vulnerable customers or people experiencing gambling-related harm.

UK Authorities Continue Illegal Gambling Enforcement

The Cardiff case follows a series of enforcement actions against suspected unlicensed gambling operations across Great Britain. In September, authorities arrested four people during illegal gambling raids in Manchester, while an earlier operation in Sheffield and Doncaster uncovered 16 illegal betting terminals.

The Gambling Commission has increasingly worked with police, local councils and other enforcement agencies where suspected illegal gambling overlaps with potential money laundering, tax offenses or organized criminal activity. Young said the regulator would continue taking joint action against people operating illegal gambling businesses in Great Britain.

RELATED TOPICS: Regulation