Cardiff poker organisers sentenced after players left in debt

Two men who ran an illegal poker operation in Cardiff have received suspended prison sentences.  Investigators found that players lost substantial sums without safeguards to protect them.

Noor Rassam, 29, of Pentwyn, and Panayiotis Karayiannis, 30, of Pontprennau, were sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on 2 October. Each received three years’ imprisonment. This was suspended for three years.

Both admitted possessing and transferring criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. A further hearing under the Act is scheduled for 9 April 2027.

Industrial unit housed six poker tables

The pair operated from an upstairs room on an industrial estate in Splott between August 2022 and February 2024.

The premises contained six poker tables, a prize wheel, refreshments and a cashier’s window protected by Perspex. Players entered through a fire exit. CCTV monitored the venue.

An investigation led by Tarian, southern Wales’ regional organised crime unit, began after intelligence reached the Gambling Commission. HMRC and Cardiff Council’s licensing department also supported the inquiry.

Officers executed warrants in February 2024. They seized cash, records and digital devices.

Phone examinations uncovered WhatsApp promotions for games initially branded “Ding Ding Poker.” It was later renamed “Fish Tank Poker Cardiff”. Online games were promoted through a subscription-based application under “Fish Tank Online”.

Financial enquiries identified approximately £260,000 in third-party payments to Rassam and £124,000 to Karayiannis. Those figures represent payments received, rather than an established calculation of profit.

The organisers earned money by deducting a commission, known as the rake, from individual hands.

Police warn of harm to vulnerable players

Detective Constable Charles Lan said the operation generated undeclared profits and attracted people involved in serious criminality. Investigators found messages boasting about drug dealers and organised crime group members attending.

“Individuals lost significant sums of money through these games, with some becoming indebted to the organisers.” – Detective Constable Charles Lan

Lan added that the operation had no safeguards to identify vulnerable players or support people experiencing gambling addiction.

Gambling Commission executive director of operations Sue Young said the regulator would continue working with other agencies to pursue illegal gambling businesses across Great Britain.

Wider push against illegal gambling venues

The case comes as the Commission prepares to expand its work against illegal land-based gambling.

In May, acting chief executive Sarah Gardner said £26 million in additional government funding over three years would allow greater investment in tackling unlicensed venues.

She acknowledged that limited resources had previously constrained this work and stressed that cooperation with police and other agencies would remain necessary.

The Cardiff investigation is showing itself to be using this approach. Intelligence received by the gambling regulator led to a joint inquiry involving organised crime officers, tax authorities and local licensing officials.