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Cardiff court sentences two men over illegal poker operation

Enforcement & compliance

Cardiff Crown Court sentenced Noor Rassam and Panayiotis Karayiannis on 2 October 2026 after they pleaded guilty to possessing and transferring criminal property linked to an illegal poker operation. Each received a three-year prison sentence, suspended for three years; the operation ran from August 2022 to February 2024, according to Tarian ROCU.

The suspended prison sentences demonstrate criminal consequences for operating an illegal poker operation in Wales.

Earlier fines and penalties by UKGC

DateCompanyAmountStoryAppeal status
BetfredGBP 825,000UKGC fines Betfred £825,000 and requires third-party compliance auditNot stated
evokeGBP 9,400,000UKGC fines 888 £9.4m over social responsibility and money laundering failuresNot stated
Lindar Media, MrQGBP 690,947UKGC agrees £690,947 settlement with Lindar Media over regulatory failuresNot stated
Entain, LC InternationalGBP 17,000,000UKGC agrees £17m settlement with Entain over online and retail failuresNot stated
CapenGBP 285,000Birmingham Magistrates’ Court jails former Capen chief over £285,000 lottery misuseNot stated

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