Two Cardiff men get suspended three-year sentences over Splott poker games

Two Cardiff men have received suspended prison sentences over poker games run from an industrial unit in the Splott area of the city, the UK Gambling Commission announced.

Noor Rassam, 29, of Pentwyn, and Panayiotis Karayiannis, 30, of Pontprennau, each received a three-year custodial term, with the sentence suspended for three years. A further hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act is listed for 9 April 2027.

What happened

The Commission said the two men ran illegal poker games between August 2022 and February 2024. The sessions were held in an upstairs room at an industrial-estate unit in Splott. The premises were fitted out with six poker tables, a prize wheel that spun and seating areas, plus refrigerators holding drinks and snacks.

Tarian, the regional organised crime unit, executed warrants in February 2024 at the unit and at residential and business addresses connected to the pair. The Gambling Commission, HMRC and the licensing department of Cardiff Council worked alongside Tarian on the operation.

Both men admitted two offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002: possessing criminal property and transferring criminal property.

According to Tarian ROCU's Detective Constable Charles Lan, the men ran the business for personal gain and made substantial profits that were never declared for tax. He said the proceeds were spent on overseas holidays and other expensive items, funding a lavish way of life.

The officer also said investigators found evidence that the pair marketed their games to people involved in serious criminality. He said they boasted that drug dealers and members of organised crime groups attended. In his view, providing a venue and profiting from those players helped to facilitate and fund further criminal activity.

Lan added that players lost significant sums and that some became indebted to the organisers. He contrasted the setup with licensed operators, noting there were no safeguards to spot vulnerable customers and no measures to help people with gambling addiction.

Why it matters

The case shows how enforcement against unlicensed gambling in Great Britain can run through the criminal courts and financial-crime law, not only through licensing regimes. Here, the admitted offences are proceeds-of-crime offences, and the pending hearing in 2027 could address the financial side of the case.

It also shows the Commission relying on information it received and on cooperation with Tarian ROCU, HMRC and Cardiff Council. Sue Young, the Commission's Executive Director of Operations, said the case emerged after the Commission received information about an illegal gambling den. She said the message was clear: "if you run an illegal casino, there will be a tip off, you will be caught, and there will be significant consequences."

According to Lan, the punishment signals that running gambling without a licence does harm real people. He argued that those who profit while ignoring the laws and protections meant to keep people safe can expect to face the courts.

The sentences are suspended, and the later hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act could bring further financial consequences.

What's next

The Proceeds of Crime Act hearing on 9 April 2027 is the next step in the case. The Commission said it will continue to work with partners to take action against people operating illegal gambling businesses in Great Britain.