KAMPALA – Ugandan authorities have confiscated more than 50 illegal gaming machines in a three-day nationwide operation, as regulators step up efforts to shut down unlicensed gambling operations.
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (LGRB), in partnership with the Uganda Police Force, carried out “Operation Mashine Haramu” (“illegal machine”), targeting unlicensed operators in Masaka City and Mpigi District.
In Mpigi on Friday, residents applauded as enforcement officers removed over 20 slot machines and sealed several premises, while more than 30 machines were seized the previous day in Masaka and surrounding areas.
“Anyone involved in the manufacture, supply, assembly, or operation of illegal gaming machines is in direct violation of the law. Operation Mashine Haramu will sting,” the Board warned in an official statement.
Uganda has one of East Africa’s fastest-growing gaming markets, with betting shops and slot machines rapidly proliferating across towns and trading centers. Regulators say illegal operators not only deprive the government of tax revenue but also expose vulnerable communities to gambling-related harms.
Government data shows that the licensed gaming industry contributed about 150 billion Ugandan shillings ($39 million) in tax revenue in the 2022/23 fiscal year, up from 121 billion shillings the previous year. The LGRB estimates that unlicensed machines account for a significant share of gambling activity, particularly in rural areas where enforcement is more challenging.
Authorities are urging the public to report illegal suppliers through toll-free lines and email hotlines. “Your vigilance plays an important role in helping us regulate the gaming industry and safeguard the public,” the Board said.
Uganda’s crackdown aligns with broader regional efforts to tighten oversight of the gaming sector. In recent years, Kenya and Tanzania have also increased taxes and restricted licensing in response to growing social concerns over gambling addiction.