NLA raids Lofa County businesses over illegal mini slot machines
The raids targeted sites that continued operating despite public notices ordering all mini slot operations to close.
Liberia.- The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has raided several premises in Lofa County operating mini slot machines in violation of a nationwide two-week shutdown.
The raids targeted sites that continued operating despite public notices ordering all mini slot operations to close. Officers from the NLA’s operations, inspectorate and compliance units carried out the actions on February 24, confiscating machines and initiating administrative sanctions against the operators.
The NLA announced the enforcement campaign on February 17 and suspended all mini slot and Chinese coin machines on February 20, following reports that children as young as 10 were placing bets on them in shops and entertainment centres, often during school hours.
Deputy Director General for Operations, Hon. Christian K. Cooper, said operators who allow minors to gamble “risk penalties, suspension or even closure of their businesses”. He noted that Liberia’s gaming regulations, including the General Code of Practice issued in March 2025, prohibit anyone under 18 from gambling and hold operators responsible for preventing underage play. Cooper added that earlier actions in other counties had already led to raids, shutdowns and confiscations of unauthorised machines.
The NLA’s Marketing Director, Kai Gee, explained that the authority launched a corrective campaign following verified reports of underage gambling. The campaign began with machine removals in Bomi County before moving to Lofa. The shutdown allows licensed operators to review their paperwork, implement proper age checks and ensure compliance with NLA standards. It also aims to curb the spread of unlicensed machines, often small coin-operated units placed in shops.
Similar enforcement actions are expected in other counties in the coming days. Licensed operators may resume operations once they confirm full compliance after the two-week period ends.
