Uganda Casino hit with shocking allegations: $45K jackpot winner abducted and tortured
Gaming regulator calls urgent mediation after customer claims he was kidnapped and beaten over UGX160m ($45,000) casino win.
Uganda.-Uganda’s National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has launched a formal inquiry into Golden Tripod Uganda Limited, operators of Golden Tripod Casino, following explosive allegations that casino staff abducted and tortured a customer who had won a huge pay-out.
The complainant, Wei Xiang, a Chinese national, reportedly hit the jackpot at the casino in Kampala City on July 15, winning UGX160.8m ($45,000). He was only paid UGX20.8m ($5,800) and told to return the following day to collect the balance of his winnings.
According to Xiang, when he returned on July 16 to claim the outstanding UGX140m ($39,200), casino staff abducted him, confined him to a locked room and physically assaulted and tortured him.
According to a letter dated July 23, the casino’s Managing Director is required to appear before the NLGRB to respond to the allegations. Xiang is also expected to attend the mediation meeting.
“This letter serves to summon the Managing Director of Golden Tripod Uganda Limited for mediation in a matter reported to the board in accordance with its mandate,” the letter stated, according to the Nile Post.
The NLGRB cited its authority under Section 4(m) of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap 334, which empowers the board to receive, investigate and arbitrate complaints related to lotteries, gaming, betting and casinos, and to take appropriate action.
Lawyer, police rescue detained customer
Xiang’s lawyer, Shafic Ssemakula, said he was alerted to the situation by a relative. “I received a call from one of the relatives of the complainant that he had been abducted and was being tortured by the management of the casino,” he said.
Along with police officers from Kampala Central Police Station, Ssemakula responded to the scene and found Xiang detained in one of the casino’s rooms. Some of the staff involved were arrested and later released on bail.
Ssemakula condemned the incident, calling it a serious breach of public trust and the law. “These actions of the casino management and staff are not only against the law but also abuse the public trust and amount to criminality and violation of the Uganda Lotteries and Gaming Act.”
Meanwhile the casino’s human resource representative acknowledged the incident but said it took place without the knowledge of a senior executive and said they are “trying to resolve the matter amicably”.
The NLGRB’s upcoming mediation meeting is expected to establish the facts and decide whether further action is necessary.
