Uganda impounds over 6,000 illegal gaming machines nationwide
Uganda’s National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal gambling after announcing that more than 6,000 unlicensed gaming machines have been impounded under Operation “Mashine Haramu”, with the latest enforcement action resulting in the seizure of 215 machines in the West Nile region.
The operation is being carried out jointly by the NLGRB and the Uganda Police Force to remove illegal gaming machines, promote responsible gaming and ensure that only licensed gaming operators operate within Uganda’s legal framework.
In a statement shared on LinkedIn, the regulator said: “Through Operation ‘Mashine Haramu,’ NLGRB and the Uganda Police Force have impounded over 6,000 illegal gaming machines nationwide to date, including a recent seizure of 215 machines across West Nile.”
“Unlicensed machines expose communities to unregulated practices and put minors and vulnerable people at risk, and enforcement against them continues nationwide.”
According to the NLGRB, illegal operators evade licensing requirements. The regulator said removing unlicensed machines from the market is aimed at creating a fairer and more accountable gaming environment while supporting operators that comply with Uganda’s gambling laws.
Operation “Mashine Haramu” is part of the regulator’s efforts to strengthen regulatory compliance, and inspections and enforcement operations will continue across the country. It also urged members of the public to report suspected illegal gaming machines through its toll-free hotline. “You can report illegal and unlicensed machines >> Toll-Free 0800 285 800.”
Enforcement campaign gathers momentum
The latest seizure follows a series of enforcement operations carried out under Operation “Mashine Haramu” across multiple parts of the country. In May, joint teams from the NLGRB and the Uganda Police Force confiscated 169 illegal gaming machines across Uganda’s West Nile sub-region. The operation covered Arua City, Maracha, Koboko, Terego, Madi-Okollo, Nebbi, Paidha, Pakwach, Dei and Panyamur, as well as trading centres and border communities including Arivu, Ombai, Olubu, Ochidri, Nyaravuru, Goli and Nsombo.
According to the regulator, similar enforcement actions have also been carried out in Kampala, Eastern Uganda, Western Uganda, Masaka and Lira. Authorities said operators found violating gambling regulations face confiscation of equipment and possible legal action, while inspections will continue in other regions as part of the nationwide campaign.
Technology strengthens oversight
The latest operation comes as the NLGRB continues to improve oversight of Uganda’s gambling sector through the National Central Electronic Monitoring System.
Earlier this year, Dennis Mudene Ngabirano, Chief Executive Officer of the NLGRB, told SiGMA News that the introduction of the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS) had significantly improved regulatory oversight of the sector. The monitoring system enables the regulator to independently verify gaming activity and revenue reported by licensed operators, reducing reliance on self-reporting while improving compliance and transparency.
In a separate interview with SiGMA News in June, Ngabirano said the regulator’s enforcement strategy extends beyond physical inspections. “We follow the money,” he said, explaining that the NLGRB works with the Uganda Communications Commission, the Bank of Uganda and mobile money providers to identify illegal online gambling activities through financial transaction trails.
“Most of these machines are imported as spare parts and assembled locally,” Ngabirano said. He added that customs authorities and law enforcement agencies work with the regulator to intercept the equipment.
He added that confiscated gaming machines are destroyed in partnership with the National Enterprise Corporation to prevent them from returning to the market.
Enforcement accompanies industry growth
The latest crackdown comes against the backdrop of continued growth in Uganda’s regulated gaming sector. Earlier this year, the NLGRB reported that the National Central Electronic Monitoring System had recorded gaming transactions worth more than UGX 8 trillion (US$2.2 billion), reflecting the scale of the country’s regulated gambling market and the regulator’s increased visibility into licensed gaming activity.
The Board has previously attributed stronger regulatory oversight, improved compliance and the adoption of digital monitoring systems to its broader efforts to modernise gambling regulation while supporting legitimate operators.
As Operation “Mashine Haramu” continues across the country, the NLGRB said it will continue taking action against illegal gaming machines to protect consumers, reduce unlicensed gambling and support compliance with Uganda’s gambling laws.
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