Games machine firm fined £2,000

A CHADDERTON games machine supplier has been found guilty of illegal activity under the Gambling Act 2005.

Coinfactory Ltd pleaded guilty at Oldham Magistrates’ Court to supplying gaming machines to a total of 19 premises without an operating licence from the Gambling Commission.

The business, which is based at the Falcon Centre in Victoria Street, was fined £2,000, with costs of £2,500 awarded to the commission.

An investigation by the commission found that Coinfactory, which also trades as Image Time Ltd, had been supplying category B fixed odds betting terminals to licensed betting offices and category B3A gaming machines to private members’ clubs in the north of England.

Coinfactory did not have the relevant operating licence to supply these machines.

As part of the investigation, 26 gaming machines were seized from betting premises and private members’ clubs in Manchester and Yorkshire in operations involving the police and local authorities.

Following the case, the commission’s director of regulation, Nick Tofiluk, said: “This case demonstrates our determination to clamp down on those who persist in illegally supplying gaming machines at the expense of the legitimate industry and the public at large.

“This investigation began with a successful multi-agency operation and we will continue to work with our partners to keep gambling fair and safe for all.”

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for the environment and infrastructure at Oldham Council, said: “We will always support the Gambling Commission in ensuring that gambling is regulated and that breaches of the rules are acted upon.”