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Two men from Pontprennau, Cardiff, have received sentences related to their roles in operating an unlicensed gambling venue located in an industrial estate in Splott. Noor Rassam, 29, and Panayiotis Karayiannis, 30, ran unauthorized poker games from an upstairs room in the industrial unit between August 2022 and February 2024. The space was equipped with six poker tables, a large prize wheel, seating areas, and fridges stocked with refreshments.
The Cardiff Crown Court heard that the gambling den was accessible both physically and online, with promotions carried out through WhatsApp messages, as reported by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales. The online poker games operated under a subscription model through an app account named Fish Tank Online, while the physical games were initially branded as Ding Ding Poker before rebranding to Fish Tank Poker Cardiff. Access to the industrial unit was discreet, entered via a fire exit and monitored by CCTV controlled by the defendants. Inside, investigators discovered an office area containing gambling equipment like poker chips and tokens, financial records tracking players’ payments and debts, and a Perspex-protected cashier’s window for transactions.
The investigation, initiated from intelligence received by the Gambling Commission and forwarded to Tarian ROCU, culminated in the execution of warrants in February 2024. Both men were arrested, with authorities seizing cash, documents, electronic devices, and other valuable items. Analysis revealed that Rassam received about £260,000 and Karayiannis around £124,000 in third-party payments, with many transactions annotated as “poker”. The pair profited by collecting a commission—known in the industry as “the rake”—from each poker hand rather than wagering against participants directly.
Detective Constable Charles Lan of Tarian ROCU emphasized the substantial profits generated from this unlicensed operation, highlighting that these earnings had never been reported for tax purposes. He noted the enterprise funded a luxurious lifestyle for the men, including overseas holidays and expensive purchases. Lan also warned about the financial harm suffered by participants, some of whom accrued debts to the organisers. Unlike regulated gambling providers, no safeguards were implemented to assist vulnerable individuals or those with gambling addictions. Both Rassam and Karayiannis pleaded guilty to possessing and transferring criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 at the start of their trial. They were sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for three years. Lan remarked that the case underlines the serious consequences of unlicensed gambling and serves as a warning to others who might disregard protective regulations. Sue Young, executive director of operations at the Gambling Commission, reiterated the firm stance against illegal gambling operations, stating that such activities will be detected and prosecuted to the fullest extent
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