The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has confiscated over 5,000 illegal gaming machines in a sweeping nationwide crackdown on unlicensed gambling operations across Uganda.
According to the Board, over 2,347 machines were destroyed this week in a joint operation with National Enterprises Corporation(NEC) , bringing the total number of destroyed machines this year to well over 3,000, with an additional 1,000 units awaiting court-ordered disposal.
Addressing journalists, Denis Mudene Ngabirano, CEO of the NLGRB, revealed that the illegal gaming equipment was being operated without licenses, in direct contravention of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap 334, which mandates that all operators in the gaming sector must be licensed or face prosecution.
“We have so far confiscated over 5,000 illegal gaming machines. Yesterday alone, we submitted 2,347 of them to NEC for destruction. These were all unlicensed machines being used to exploit unsuspecting members of the public,” he said
The crackdown has been spearheaded by the Board’s Inspection and Compliance Unit, which conducts routine compliance checks across the country.
Information from these checks is passed on to the Enforcement Division, which moves in to seize illegal gaming devices.
Once confiscated, the machines are stored at the Board’s secured warehouse pending a court order for destruction, typically obtained through the Standards and Utilities Court in Makindye.
Ngabirano confirmed that the NLGRB partners with NEC Industries, a licensed electronic waste handler, to ensure the gaming machines are completely destroyed and cannot re-enter the market.
“It is very false that these machines ever find their way back to the public once confiscated by the Board,” he emphasized.
“We maintain a strict registry and transparent process from confiscation, court orders, to destruction. We even match court and NEC records to maintain accountability.”
He also addressed a frequently asked question regarding the money often in coins found inside these illegal gaming machines, stating that it is deposited into the Consolidated Fund.
“During the loading and inventory process, any money found in these machines is counted in the presence of auditors, legal, and enforcement teams. To date, we’ve recovered about shs11 million, and all of it has been deposited into the Consolidated Fund.”
“The recovered funds are also reflected in the Board’s financial reporting for transparency and accountability,” he added.
The NLGRB has noted that many illegal machines are smuggled into Uganda as spare parts such as motherboards and power units and are later assembled locally using fabricated wooden shelves.
“They import parts disguised as electronic spares and hire local carpenters to build cabinets. The assembled machines are then distributed around the country illegally,” Ngabirano explained.
“We are working closely with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to track and block these illegal imports at the entry points.”
Ngabirano emphasized the importance of operating within the legal framework—not only for business owners, but also for gamers, referred to as “punters” in the industry.
“If you gamble with an unlicensed operator and they don’t pay you, we cannot help you,” he warned.
“But licensed operators have a bank guarantee with us. If they default on paying a winner, we investigate and, if confirmed, the Board can pay out that claim using the guarantee.”
He also called on potential investors to apply for proper licenses and urged the public to gamble responsibly, reminding Ugandans that gambling should be treated as leisure not a way to make money.
“Gaming is not a money-making venture. It’s a leisure activity. Only play with what you can afford to lose,” he said.
