Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has successfully conducted an enforcement operation in Kampala, leading to the confiscation of 198 illegal slot machines along with 12 boxes containing related spare parts.
“We have captured 198 illegal slot machines and 12 boxes of spare parts. This is part of our ongoing enforcement against unlicensed coin machines, driven largely by intelligence gathering. We receive information on suppliers and manufacturers of these illegal machines,” stated Mr. Denis Mudene Ngabirano, Chief Executive Officer of NLGRB.
Mr. Ngabirano further revealed that the Board’s endeavors are directed towards tracking down the warehouses where these machines are assembled prior to their display in showrooms.
“The team has targeted a showroom where these machines are sold. However, our goal is to trace back to the manufacturing and assembly points. I am confident that we will uncover these locations and confiscate all the illegal machines and spare parts stored there,” he added.
He appealed to the public for assistance in identifying locations where illegal gaming machines are manufactured and assembled.
“I urge all Ugandans with information on the manufacturing and assembly of these illegal machines to come forward. This will help us protect citizens from substandard and unlicensed gaming equipment,” Mr. Ngabirano emphasized.
Mr. Ngabirano also highlighted the licensing requirements for manufacturing gaming machines in Uganda.
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“Anyone wishing to manufacture and supply gaming equipment must obtain a licence. Currently, there are only two licensed operators in the country, providing equipment that meets international standards,” Mr. Ngabirano added.
Mr. Aloysius Mugasa Adyeri, board chairman of NLGRB, disclosed that the enforcement exercises are conducted to ensure effective regulation of the sector and to protect citizens from the presence of illegal gaming machines.
“What we do is to regulate the sector in this country and make sure the sector is run properly and save citizens and non-citizens from the effects of adverse gaming,” he said
NLGRB presently holds more than 3,500 confiscated gaming machines in its warehouses, and plans are already in motion to dismantle and destroy this illicit equipment.
