700 illegal slot operation machines impounded Kampala

Jul 18, 2017

Two months ago, LGRB), closed 78 illegal sports betting centres in the city suburbs, Wakiso and Mukono districts.

About 700 illegal slot operation machines were impounded, in an operation conducted by the Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (LGRB), the government betting regulatory body.

The operation was done after the 60 day amnesty, LGRB gave to illegal operators elapsed and those whose machines were confiscated had not complied.

In the weekly operation LGRB conducted with the Police, most of the illegal confiscated machines had been stationed from shop, kiosks and ungazatted places in Kawempe division.

Jonathan Kyeyune, the LGRB's head of public and Corporate Affairs said during the operation, they closed a ware house in Kawempe near Police station, where illegal slot machines were being assembled.

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"The ware house had turned into assembling plant for illegal slot machines.  Owners and perpetrators were arrested and the ware house was shut down, accordingly," Kyeyune added.

He said government through the gaming regulatory board is committed to protect the public, especially the youth from the negative effects of the sector.

In 2016, Parliament established LGRB as a corporate body, to enforce the law, relating to the conduct of lotteries, gaming, betting and casinos.

LGRB is also licensing regulating and taxing the betting industry. Among other things, the law aims at protecting the citizens from the adverse effects of gaming and betting in Uganda.

Once found guilty for operating illegal gaming machines, you are imprisoned for not less than two years and impounded machines are destroyed.

Two months ago, LGRB), closed 78 illegal sports betting centres in the city suburbs, Wakiso and Mukono districts.

The betting centres which were closed last week have been operating in areas of Entebbe, Kajjansi, Lweza Zzana and Namasumba. Other areas are Gayaza, Kisaasi, Kyanja, Mpererwe, Kalerwe and Kanyanya.

The affected betting centres are World Star, Acebet, SBA, Victory, Arua Casino LEV and Home Bet, among others.

Justifying the closure of the premises, LGRB explained that some of them were unlicensed operators and others were allowing individual below 25 years to enter their premises.

 "The law is very clear. Only Ugandans above 25 years are supposed to enter the betting premises. When we visited these betting centres, we found people who are below the required age," Kyeyune explained.

Kyeyune also explained that others were operating in areas below the minimum size of 30 square meters, required by the law.

"And others were closed because they were operating near the schools, churches and government offices," he adds.

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