Gambling Regulatory Authority of Côte d’Ivoire destroys more than 100 illegal slot machines
Authority continues its nationwide crackdown on illegal gambling with a large-scale incineration of unauthorised slot machines in Abidjan.
Côte d’Ivoire.- Côte d’Ivoire’s Gambling Regulatory Authority has incinerated more than 110 unauthorised slot machines and related components in Abidjan, reinforcing its commitment to curb illegal gambling and protect the integrity of the licensed gaming industry.
The Autorité de Régulation des Jeux de Hasard (ARJH), translated as the Gambling Regulatory Authority, is the national body responsible for licensing and supervising gambling operations across Côte d’Ivoire. The Authority conducted the recent operation in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Criminal Unit and the Criminal Asset Recovery Agency.
The destruction involved 110 illegal slot machines, 84 boxes and 13 bags of electrical and electronic components, carried out in the presence of administrative, judicial and traditional authorities. The initiative follows similar crackdowns in other regions, including Bouaflé, as part of the regulator’s long-term plan to eliminate unauthorised gambling activities nationwide.
The ARJH said in a press release: “The action was welcomed by the Sub-Prefect of Bingerville, Kapié Koné, representing the Prefect of Abidjan. The Chairman of the Regulatory Council, Jules Dally, recalled the harmful effects of illegal gambling. He praised the foresight of President Alassane Ouattara for establishing the ARJH and reaffirmed the determination of the gaming sector watchdog to wage war on all lawbreakers.”
The ARJH emphasised that these efforts are intended to safeguard the legal gambling industry and ensure compliance with Article 10 of Law No. 2020-480 of 27 May 2020, which requires prior authorisation to operate slot machines in Côte d’Ivoire.
Director General Kouakou Okou announced that the authority will continue awareness campaigns and host an annual conference with operators and judicial authorities to strengthen collaboration and develop sustainable regulatory solutions.
