Illegal casinos are “rife” in Northern Ireland, two leading bookmakers have claimed.

They told a Stormont committee that in some cases legal bingo and gaming premises are converted into illegal operations at night. These illegal premises have the opportunity to place much higher stakes, the committee heard.

Bookmaker Gary Toal said police did not feel they had the resources to do anything about them. Mr Toal and fellow bookmaker Paul McLlean were giving evidence to the assembly’s Communities Committee.

Members are currently scrutinising the Betting Gaming Lotteries and Amusements Bill, which is said to be the first major change to Northern Ireland’s gambling laws in 40 years.