Illegal Poker Den Operator ordered to pay £50,000

Commenting, Richard Bradley, Solicitor at Poppleston Allen said:

“Mr Ahmet Melin was prosecuted by the London Borough of Enfield after enforcement officers determined that Big Bluff Private members club in Palmers Green was operating as an illegal poker den and not as a non-profit making private members club in accordance with its club gaming permit.

Last April, despite denying culpability, Mr Melin was found guilty of five money laundering offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and sentenced to 15 months imprisonment.

This week, Wood Green Crown Court ruled that the Defendant had made in excess of £400,000 through running the illegal poker club and that his current assets of around £50,000 should be forfeit.

Enfield Council has reported that its Cabinet member for Environment, Councillor Anderson has said that “swift and decisive action” had been taken and that the Council “will seek to recover more if we discover Melin has further assets.”

Nick Tofiluk, the Gambling Commission’s Director of Regulatory Operations has been quoted as stating that “This is an excellent example of how a local authority with Gambling Commission support is dealing with illegal gambling in whatever guise it is presented”.

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For more information please contact Richard Bradley