Paul Bell, known to the public as the director of 666Bet, has been arrested at Heathrow airport last week in investigation of a possible fraud worth £21 million. The news that was released by The Independent, reported that this action was part of a joint investigation of HM Revenue & Customs and National Crime Agency.
Bell was first arrested and then released in order to be arrested again the following day. However, he was not alone since six other people were also arrested by the police and £1 million in cash was seized as well. The operation has the name Bannock and it involves the police forces from the Channel Island and the Isle of Man.
666Bet is a well established site in the online gambling industry and according to some sources the company had some serious plans to expand their services on the Asian market. 666Bet had an advertising blitz with popular ex football manager Harry Redknapp in 2014 and it had advertising deals with Leicester City and West Bromwich Albion as well.
It has been reported that the UK Gambling Commission has suspended the gambling licence of Metro Play Limited. The licence used to cover both 666Bet and Metro Play Casino. Nonetheless, there is no proof that Metro Play Limited or its two sites are anyhow involved in the operation.
Neil Andrews, 666Bet’s head of brand, quickly wrote a statement that the police investigation didn’t have any relations to the sites activities in the “gaming world.” He went further explaining that the whole situation had nothing to do with the day-to-day running of the firm.
The reputable UK Gambling Commission refused to comment on the events and therefore it remains to be seen how everything will affect 666Bet and Metro Play.