A Belfast man who ran an illegal bingo operation from his home during the Covid-19 lockdown has avoided an immediate prison sentence after being convicted of serious gambling offences.
Connor McAreavey, 36, of Leeson Street, Belfast, appeared before Belfast Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to organising or managing prohibited gaming between January 2020 and December 2022. He also admitted possessing criminal property totalling £54,897 between January 2020 and March 2023.
At sentencing, Judge Catherine Chasemore described the offending as “serious” before handing McAreavey a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
How the illegal bingo was discovered
The court heard that the offences first came to light on 2 February 2021, when police were alerted to a potential breach of Covid lockdown regulations at McAreavey’s home.
Officers attending the address found between 80 and 100 people queuing outside the property. The prosecution said police spoke to members of the crowd, who confirmed they were there to buy bingo tickets from McAreavey.
The prosecution barrister told the court:
“They spoke to the defendant, who stated that he started selling bingo tickets to enable the local community to play online, which he set up at the start of lockdown.”
McAreavey claimed he was not making a profit and said all money raised from the popular bingo events was distributed back to players as prize money.
Despite being instructed by police to stop selling tickets from his home due to ongoing restrictions, McAreavey later told officers he would have tickets delivered instead and asked the crowd to disperse.
Council investigation and lack of licence
The court was told that Belfast City Council became involved in March 2022 following further complaints. Council officers spoke to McAreavey, who admitted he had been operating a bingo club from his kitchen twice a week since the start of lockdown.
The prosecution confirmed that council checks showed McAreavey did not hold a licence to operate bingo events.
Police later seized £6,887 in cash and €2,065, which remain subject to civil forfeiture proceedings.
Evidence found on seized phone
McAreavey’s mobile phone was also seized and examined by police. Messages showed customers ordering bingo books and raffle tickets, paying either online or in cash when items were delivered to their homes.
When interviewed by police in June 2023, McAreavey made no comment on any of the questions.
Judge’s warning on unregulated gambling
Passing sentence, Judge Chasemore said the case underlined the dangers of illegal gambling activity.
“Whether this offending was through naivety or otherwise, it is so serious that the public needs to be protected from unregulated operations,” she told the court.
PSNI issues warning to illegal operators
Detective Chief Inspector Uel Boyd of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Economic Crime Unit said the case should act as a warning. He told the BBC:
“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 the courts.”
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