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Illegal Gambling Den Exposed in Cardiff Industrial Estate
Cardiff Crown Court was informed of an illegal gambling operation being conducted in an unremarkable unit on Templar Park industrial estate in Splott. The establishment was equipped with six poker tables, a spinning prize wheel, seating areas, and fridges stocked with refreshments for gamblers.
The operation, run by Noor Rassam and Panayiotis Karayiannis, is alleged to have generated substantial profits, amounting to hundreds of thousands of pounds. This revenue funded their lavish lifestyle, including overseas holidays.
In February 2024, following a tip-off, police from the southern Wales organised crime unit Tarian, along with staff from the Gambling Commission, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and Cardiff Council’s licensing department, executed a search warrant at the unit. They discovered a fully operational casino setup complete with poker tables, a prize wheel, and various gambling supplies. Access to the gambling den was controlled via a fire escape monitored by CCTV, a method designed to conceal the operation.
Subsequent searches at residential and business properties linked to Rassam and Karayiannis led to the arrest of both men, with authorities seizing cash, documentation, digital devices, and high-value items. Financial investigations revealed that Rassam received around £260,000 and Karayiannis approximately £124,000 in third-party payments over a period spanning from August 2022 to February 2024.
Further analysis of seized devices uncovered communications promoting in-person and online poker games. The online games were hosted through a subscription service, while the in-person events transitioned branding from “Ding Ding Poker” to “Fish Tank Poker Cardiff.” The operation profited by taking a commission from each hand played.
Initially denying wrongdoing, Rassam, aged 29, and Karayiannis, aged 30, both residing on Cranbourne Way in Pontprennau, Cardiff, changed their pleas to guilty on the first day of trial. They were convicted of possessing criminal property and transferring criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Both received a suspended three-year prison sentence following plea discounts.
Following the ruling, Detective Constable Charles Lan from Tarian highlighted the broader implications of the illegal venture, noting that the operation not only generated profits that went undeclared for tax purposes but also supported a lavish lifestyle. He stated that the gambling operation harmed individuals, some of whom incurred debts due to their gambling activities, and lacked the regulatory safeguards that would typically protect vulnerable individuals in legitimate gambling environments.
Lan expressed gratitude to various agencies involved in the investigation, particularly emphasising the critical role of the Gambling Commission in the case.
Sue Young, Executive Director of Operations at the Gambling Commission, reiterated the message against illegal gambling operations, emphasising that such enterprises will be swiftly identified and addressed.
