The scope in which authorities are going to investigate the land-based illegal sector appears to be widening after a Belfast man was sentenced for running an illegal bingo and online raffle enterprise from his home.
According to the Northern Irish Police, an investigation into Connor McAreavey’s activities began in 2020, and bank account analysis revealed evidence of the transactions related to a bingo and raffle enterprise.
The events largely took place during the COVID pandemic, with McAreavey, 36, making substantial financial gain from this operation – utilising profits to help fund a second unrelated business operated by the accused.
McAreavey submitted an early guilty plea to organising or managing prohibited gaming and possessing criminal property, and was handed a 10-month custodial sentence suspended for 12 months.
Authorities seized a house and vehicle in order to uncover bingo-related evidence, including bingo slips, dabbers, raffle tickets and bingo cards, as well as electronic items that document recordings of the bingo taking place at the premises.
They also analysed bank accounts over a three-year period to ensure that bingo and raffle events had been taking place.
DCI Uel Boyd of the PSNI Economic Crime Unit commented: “Anyone involved in unlicensed gambling will be detected, investigated and ultimately prosecuted.
“We work alongside partner agencies and licensing authorities to investigate reports, follow financial and intelligence leads, and ensure those responsible are brought before court.”
Whilst the key threat from the black market comes from the online sector, we have seen illicit casinos increasingly falling under the microscope of authorities.
That being said, this case feels somewhat different – with it taking place largely during the pandemic and also focusing on bingo and raffle draws.
Illegal bingo operations are rare, but not unheard of. In 2023, the KSA raided a venue for the second time, where around 200 participants were alleged to have been taking part in a bingo game. A few years earlier, there was similar police action at a cafe in Benidorm.
However, in both of these cases, there were no criminal charges issued against an individual, like the suspended sentence in Belfast.
