Two Cardiff Men Given Suspended Sentences Over Illegal Poker Den Operation

Noor Rassam and Panayiotis Karayiannis were sentenced in October 2026 to three years' imprisonment each, suspended for three years, after pleading guilty to possessing and transferring criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The men operated illegal poker games from an upstairs unit on an industrial estate in the Splott area of Cardiff between August 2022 and February 2024; a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing has been scheduled for 9 April 2027.

Illegal poker den operation in Cardiff and how it ran

Between August 2022 and February 2024 the defendants ran poker games from an upstairs unit on an industrial estate in Splott, Cardiff. The premises contained six poker tables, a spinning prize wheel, seating areas and fridges stocked with food and drinks. Investigators described the venue as a purpose-built games room rather than an ad-hoc gathering spot; the equipment and layout indicated sustained, organised activity over a protracted period.

The operation accepted and generated cash proceeds over the life of the venue. Police enquiries and subsequent court papers record that the enterprise produced undeclared profits that funded foreign holidays and other high-value spending by those involved.

The raid and multi-agency investigation

In February 2024 officers from Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit executed warrants at the industrial unit and at linked residential and business addresses. Tarian ROCU carried out the raid in collaboration with the Gambling Commission, HM Revenue & Customs and the Cardiff Council Licensing Department. The coordinated action followed intelligence and a complaint to regulators about the illegal gambling activity.

Detective Constable Charles Lan of Tarian ROCU told investigators the enterprise generated substantial undeclared profits. Court material says the organisers actively promoted their games to individuals involved in serious criminality, and that investigators found evidence indicating the presence at the venue of drug dealers and members of organised crime groups.

Charges, pleas and sentencing

Both defendants pleaded guilty to possessing and transferring criminal property contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The court handed each man a three-year custodial sentence suspended for three years. The suspended sentences mean that if either defendant offends during the suspension period they can be returned to custody under the original term unless other court action intervenes.

A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing has been listed for 9 April 2027 to establish confiscation and settlement of benefits derived from the illegal activity.

Regulatory perspective and official statements

The Gambling Commission was directly involved in the investigation and enforcement work that supported the police action. The Commission’s Executive Director of Operations, Sue Young, said:

"This case emerged after we received information about an illegal gambling den. The message is clear if you run an illegal casino, there will be a tip off, you will be caught, and there will be significant consequences." — Sue Young, Gambling Commission Executive Director of Operations

The involvement of the Gambling Commission and the Cardiff Council Licensing Department emphasises the regulatory dimension of the case and the licensing obligations that apply to premises offering gambling activity. HM Revenue & Customs participated because of the undeclared profits element and the tax and proceeds aspects investigators uncovered.

Criminal links, player harm and lack of protections

Court material and investigator statements record that organisers actively promoted their games to people involved in serious criminality. Investigators said the organisers boasted about the presence of drug dealers and organised crime group members at the venue. Authorities also recorded that participants at the illegal poker games suffered significant financial losses and had no access to player protection measures or gambling addiction support services.

Those facts formed part of the prosecution file and factored into both the sentencing and the decision to pursue a confiscation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

What this means for operators and venues in the UK

The case underlines enforcement risks for any operator running unlicensed, cash-based gambling from premises in Great Britain. Regulators and law enforcement worked together here; the Gambling Commission provided regulatory support, HM Revenue & Customs addressed the financial elements and the local licensing authority was involved in the premises-level assessment. Licensed operators and venue managers should keep licensing status, declared revenues and player-protection processes in order to avoid similar action.

Timeline of key events

• August 2022: Illegal poker operation begins in an upstairs industrial unit in Splott, Cardiff.

• February 2024: Multi-agency raids carried out by Tarian ROCU, the Gambling Commission, HM Revenue & Customs and Cardiff Council Licensing Department.

• October 2026: Noor Rassam and Panayiotis Karayiannis plead guilty and receive three-year prison sentences suspended for three years.

• 9 April 2027: Proceeds of Crime Act hearing listed to determine confiscation and settlement.

Judicial and enforcement follow-up

The suspended custodial sentences leave room for civil recovery of criminal benefit at the scheduled POCA hearing. Authorities signalled they will pursue proceeds and did not limit their action to criminal sentences alone. The parallel regulatory and tax-focused involvement demonstrates the range of remedies enforcement bodies can deploy when illegal gambling and undeclared profits intersect.