The latest joint forces raid on an illegal gambling den took place in Bristol last month when local police, an organised crime unit and the Gambling Commission stormed an alleged casino arresting two individuals on suspicion of gambling offences.

The combined forces of the police, organised crime unit and the Gambling Commission completed its latest raid on an alleged illegal casino in the Harbourside area of Bristol earlier this month, operating in partnership with local law enforcement to detain two individuals suspected of illegal activity.

The raid on 10 July came just weeks after eight people were arrested in Doncaster for offences under the Gambling Act and two more in Manchester, as the Commission steps up its enforcement activity.

“The operation was conducted by officers from the Harbourside Neighbourhood Policing Team, the Gambling Commission, and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU),” reports confirmed.

“Authorities executed a search warrant at premises on Lower College Street, detaining a 36 year old man and a 40 year old woman on suspicion of gambling offences. Both have been released on bail while investigations continue.”

Speaking after the arrests, Sergeant Michael Friis commended the local community for raising concerns over suspicious activity at the premises, saying “community intelligence plays a vital role in tackling criminal activity and keeping our neighbourhoods safe.”

“We encourage anyone who has concerns about suspicious or illegal activity in their area to continue reporting it to the police.”

Speaking during the Bingo Association AGM in May, the Commission pledged that it would intensify its focus on land-based gambling crime, after being allocated £26m in additional funding by the government to increase its enforcement activity.

Executive director of operations, Sue Young, said “tackling all forms of illegal gambling is a focus for the Commission.”