Illegal gambling den with poker tables, spinning prize wheel, and TVs uncovered in police raids

Two men in Cardiff have been arrested after police uncovered an alleged illegal gambling den in an industrial unit. The gambling den was equipped with six poker tables, a spinning prize wheel, poker coins and chips, and multiple flatscreen televisions.

The den was discovered after officers from Tarian regional organised crime unit (ROCU) executed six warrants across Cardiff on February 28 following intelligence that an illegal gambling den was operating in Splott. The raids were in partnership with the Gambling Commission, HMRC, and Cardiff council's licensing team.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of money laundering and Gambling Act offences. Photos from the suspected gambling den issued by authorities show murals of fictional characters on the wall, including Mr Monopoly, along with safes and what appear to be pay kiosks. One room also had a huge spinning prize wheel.

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Kay Roberts, Gambling Commission executive director of operations, said: “We are committed to tackling illegal gambling activity across the UK and will continue working closely with law enforcement and partner agencies to achieve this.” For the latest Cardiff news sign up to our newsletter here.

The Cardiff site was raided as part of Operation Henhouse, a month-long intensification period against fraud. Funded by the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC), Operation Henhouse was a collaborative effort by multiple police forces, organised crime units, and partner agencies across the UK. Tarian ROCU coordinated the activity for southern Wales. In total six arrests were made, seven warrants were executed, and more than 10 cease and desist notices were issued to individuals committing fraud and money laundering offences across the region.

Detective sergeant Emma Brown, of Tarian’s proactive economic crime team (PECT), said: “Fraud has become the most commonly recorded crime in England and Wales and is often committed in conjunction with other serious offences, such as money laundering. Over the course of the Henhouse intensification period we have arrested individuals under suspicion of fraud by false representation and money laundering together with executing warrants in respect of the distribution of illegal TV Firesticks."