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Two men who ran an illegal poker operation from an industrial unit in Splott, Cardiff, have each been handed three-year suspended prison sentences. Noor Rassam, 29, and Panayiotis Karayiannis, 30, operated both live and online poker games between August 2022 and February 2024.
When police raided the premises, they discovered six poker tables, a prize wheel, a cashier’s window, stocked fridges and CCTV monitoring access to the building. Records at the scene detailed money paid and still owed by players.
The live games were initially advertised as Ding Ding Poker before rebranding to Fish Tank Poker Cardiff, while online play ran through a subscription app called Fish Tank Online, according to the BBC and WalesOnline.
Financial investigations revealed roughly £260,000 (around $345,000) in third-party payments linked to Rassam, with Karayiannis receiving approximately £124,000 (around $164,500) over the same period. Authorities said the profits funded foreign holidays and other lavish spending, none of which was declared for tax purposes.
The scheme came to light after a tip to the Gambling Commission prompted Tarian, the Regional Organized Crime Unit for South Wales, to launch an investigation. A February 2024 raid involved the Gambling Commission, HM Revenue and Customs and Cardiff Council. Officials noted the games had attracted individuals connected to serious and organized crime, and that some players fell into debt due to a lack of safeguards against problem gambling.
Both men initially pleaded not guilty but changed their pleas on the first day of trial at Cardiff Crown Court, admitting to possessing and transferring criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. A further hearing under the same act is scheduled for April 2027 to address seized assets and finances.
