Uganda cracks down on illegal gambling, seizing more than 5,000 slot machines
The NLGRB steps up its war on illicit gaming as thousands of slot machines are confiscated and to be destroyed across the country.
Uganda.- In a sweeping crackdown on illegal gambling, Uganda’s National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has confiscated more than 5,000 unauthorised slot machines, sending a powerful message to unlicensed operators and reinforcing its mission to protect citizens from the growing risks of unregulated gaming.
The move is part of a larger, aggressive campaign by the NLGRB to rid the country of illicit gambling dens, particularly in rural areas where coin slot machines have become accessible, even to minors.
“We are here to supervise and regulate all gaming activities, but more importantly, to protect Ugandans from the harmful effects of gambling,” NLGRB CEO Denis Ngabirano told the Nile Post.
“Once we license someone, we publish their details so the public can verify. We also act on tips from licensed operators when illegal setups appear near them.”
Specialised teams sent in
Section 67 of Uganda’s Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap 334, grants the Board authority to clamp down hard on unlawful operations. Offenders face hefty fines, jail time, or both – if caught running unlicensed gambling setups or allowing underage access.
To enforce the law, the board has rolled out a specialised Enforcement and Investigations Unit, backed by a national Inspection and Compliance team. Their mission is to identify, verify and eliminate illegal operators from the gaming ecosystem in Uganda.
The hotspots for these illicit machines are rural trading centres, areas far from urban oversight, where machines often bypass all regulatory control and attract vulnerable youth.
“With police support, we’ve confiscated over 5,000 illegal machines,” Ngabirano said.
“We’ve partnered with Luwero Industries to destroy them as part of our fight against unsafe gaming.”
Beyond enforcement, the NLGRB is investing in responsible gambling awareness, leveraging tech for digital oversight, and joining forces with organisations like SafeBoda, Bank of Uganda, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education to champion financial literacy and protect at-risk communities.
With thousands of machines now headed for destruction, Uganda is making it clear: illegal gambling has no place in the nation’s future.
