Key Moments:
- Operators Noor Rassam and Panayiotis Karayiannis were given three-year suspended prison sentences on October 2 at Cardiff Crown Court
- Authorities uncovered approximately £384,000 in third-party payments related to the unlicensed poker operation
- A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing is scheduled for April 9, 2027, to address asset confiscation
In-Depth Investigation Unveils Dual-Channel Poker Operation
Noor Rassam, 29, of Pentwyn, and Panayiotis Karayiannis, 30, of Pontprennau, faced sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court on October 2 after they admitted to possessing and transferring criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Their three-year sentences were suspended for the same duration, capping off an investigation into their multifaceted poker enterprise.
Authorities discovered that the pair had orchestrated both physical poker nights and online games, operating out of an industrial estate in Splott between August 2022 and February 2024. Initial inquiries into what appeared to be an unlicensed in-person venue revealed a larger web involving digital promotions and online play.
Financial Irregularities and Promotion Networks
Investigators identified extensive WhatsApp activity, with games promoted under the banners “Ding Ding Poker” and later “Fish Tank Poker Cardiff.” The online component leveraged a subscription-based app called “Fish Tank Online.” Financial probes confirmed that roughly £260,000 in third-party deposits flowed into Rassam’s accounts, while Karayiannis received about £124,000. These transactions, which often referenced poker, brought the total uncovered figure to approximately £384,000.
The investigation showed that the revenue did not simply represent player wagers. Instead, Rassam and Karayiannis extracted profit via the rake—a commission taken from each poker hand—pointing to a commercial gambling operation.
Regulatory Context and Legal Framework
British law permits poker in select private and non-commercial situations, but any commercial gambling activity requires the proper operating license under Section 33 of the Gambling Act 2005. Violation of this rule can result in up to 51 weeks in prison, a fine, or both. Notably, however, Rassam and Karayiannis were convicted for offenses involving criminal property, rather than for gambling without a license. The published records do not clarify why the prosecution adopted this approach.
Venue Features and Police Action
Authorities found a sophisticated set-up at the Splott premises, including six poker tables, a spinning prize wheel, seating areas, fridges with refreshments, and a cashier booth fortified with Perspex. Surveillance was maintained via CCTV cameras operated by Rassam and Karayiannis, while supporting materials like poker chips, tokens, and payment records were stored on-site. Patrons accessed the venue through a fire exit.
The operation came under scrutiny after intelligence was supplied to the Gambling Commission, which relayed the information to Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit. In February 2024, coordinated raids by Tarian officers, the Gambling Commission, HMRC, and Cardiff Council’s Licensing Department resulted in arrests, the seizure of cash and digital devices, and the unmasking of the business’s online dimension.
Promotion Linked to Organized Crime Groups
The case further revealed that some events had been marketed to individuals involved in serious criminal enterprises. Investigators reported references to drug dealers and members of organized crime groups in relation to attendance at the poker nights. Detective Constable Charles Lan stated that the operation produced “substantial undeclared profits and financed foreign holidays and other high-value spending for those behind it.” Furthermore, police concluded that the operation’s proceeds may have supported additional illegal activities.
Players themselves were also affected. Some incurred significant losses and became indebted to the organizers. Unlike regulated venues, this operation lacked safeguards for vulnerable individuals or support for those facing gambling-related harm.
Sue Young, Gambling Commission’s Executive Director of Operations, remarked, “The case began with information supplied to the regulator and warned that illegal gambling operators could expect intelligence to reach authorities and enforcement action to follow.”
Legal Sentencing and Upcoming Proceedings
The suspended prison sentences represent a notable aspect of the case. Until this year, suspended sentences were limited to two years in England and Wales. Updates in the Sentencing Act 2026 raised the maximum to three years, which took effect on March 22, 2026. Rassam and Karayiannis thus received the new upper limit. However, official reports do not specify the judge’s rationale for suspending the punishment.
The financial aspect remains unresolved, as a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing is scheduled for April 9, 2027, to potentially determine and confiscate criminal assets.
Summary Table: Timeline and Key Figures
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operation Timeline | August 2022 – February 2024 |
| Sentencing Date | October 2 |
| Total Third-Party Payments | £384,000 |
| Amount to Rassam | £260,000 |
| Amount to Karayiannis | £124,000 |
| Prison Sentence | Three years, suspended for three years |
| Next Proceeds of Crime Act Hearing | April 9, 2027 |
- Author
Daniel Williams
