Ugandan gambling regulator confiscates 104 illegal gaming machines in new enforcement drive
According to the NLGRB, the machines were operating outside Uganda’s legal gaming framework.
Uganda.- The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has confiscated 104 illegal gaming machines as part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown on unlicensed gambling operations in Uganda.
The regulator said the seizures were carried out under its enforcement exercise, Operation Mashine Haramu, which targeted multiple locations along Mityana Road, including Buyala, Bujuko, Bukasa, Nabbweru and Lusaze, as well as parts of Eastern Uganda.
According to the NLGRB, the machines were operating outside Uganda’s legal gaming framework, which requires all operators to obtain valid licences and comply with strict regulatory requirements. These include responsible gambling measures, approved operating locations and full tax compliance.
The regulator warned that illegal gaming machines pose serious risks to consumers, particularly due to the absence of age verification controls and transparent payout systems. It noted that such gaps increase the risk of exploitation while also contributing to revenue losses for the government.
The enforcement exercise is part of a broader strategy to curb the spread of unregulated gambling activities across the country. Authorities have raised concerns that the growth of illegal operations undermines regulatory oversight and weakens consumer protection standards.
NLGRB officials said enforcement teams are continuing routine inspections alongside intelligence-led operations aimed at identifying and shutting down non-compliant operators. Machines seized during the operation will undergo further investigation, with offenders facing possible penalties including fines, licence suspension or prosecution under applicable laws.
The regulator reiterated that only licensed operators are permitted to offer gaming services in Uganda. It also urged members of the public to verify the legitimacy of gaming outlets before participating, while calling on local authorities and community stakeholders to report suspected illegal activities.
