Enforcement Action on illegal Gaming Operators
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board is currently conducting a series of successful enforcement exercises aimed at ridding communities of illegal slot machines and is a result of a series of investigations by the Board, spanning several months.
We have been conducting random spot checks across the country in order to identify and eliminate illegal gambling activities. During these checks, our officers have been visiting various locations, including pubs, clubs, and other places where slot machines are often found. The checks have been conducted without prior notice, and we have been able to catch several unscrupulous people in the act.
An example of a captured illegal slot machine used by illegal gamblers.
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board is currently conducting a series of successful enforcement exercises aimed at ridding communities of illegal slot machines and is a result of a series of investigations by the Board, spanning several months.
We have been conducting random spot checks across the country in order to identify and eliminate illegal gambling activities. During these checks, our officers have been visiting various locations, including pubs, clubs, and other places where slot machines are often found. The checks have been conducted without prior notice, and we have been able to catch several unscrupulous people in the act.
A confiscated illegal slot machine ready to be bundled into a waiting truck
These machines are reprogrammed to make a punter’s odds of winning, next to nothing. The machines operate with zero oversight, regulation, or safeguards for underage or problem gamblers. And unlike licensed and authorized operators illegal slot machines are not located in controlled gaming facilities where minors are not permitted, not monitored by the NLGRB, and not taxed on earnings.
The gaming industry directly contributes more than UGX 110 billion to the government annually, funding education, infrastructure projects, thousands of charitable organizations and more. So, when illegal gambling machines skirt the law, they also skirt taxes, contributing nothing to the initiatives supporting Ugandans and the country’s economy.
They also present another problem. Players sitting at a gaming machine in a licensed premises will see signage marked with a hotline number where they can seek help for problem gambling or addiction.
The gaming industry in Uganda is heavily regulated and gaming operators undergo an intense licensing and testing process to ensure games are fair and consumers are protected. Therefore, this initiative is in line with our commitment to creating a safe and fair gambling atmosphere for all members of the public, and we are delighted with the outcome of these exercises.
We would like to assure the public that we will continue to conduct these random spot checks across the country in order to create a safe and fair gambling atmosphere. Our officers will be vigilant and will not hesitate to take action against anyone found to be involved in illegal gambling activities. We also encourage members of the public to report any suspicious gambling activities to us, as this will enable us to take appropriate action.
We would also like to reiterate our commitment to creating a safe and fair gambling atmosphere for all members of the public. We believe that everyone has the right to gamble in a responsible and ethical manner, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that this is the case.
