The North West Gambling Board (NWGB) has intensified its crackdown on illegal gambling by destroying 142 unlicensed gambling machines that were seized during compliance operations across the province.The latest enforcement action highlights the regulator’s ongoing commitment to protecting communities, strengthening regulatory compliance, and eliminating unlawful gambling activities in South Africa.
The seized machines were dismantled at a scrapyard in Mahikeng after being removed from tuck shops, informal businesses, and other unlicensed premises across the North West’s four districts. The NWGB said that some of the illegal machines had been operating in locations that were easily accessible to children and other vulnerable individuals, raising serious concerns about underage gambling and community safety.
The destruction forms part of the NWGB’s broader enforcement programme to ensure all gambling activities comply with the North West Gambling Act, 2001. Through regular inspections, seizures, and legal action, the regulator says it is working to dismantle illegal gambling networks while promoting a safer and more transparent gambling environment.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Boitumelo Qalinge reaffirmed the Board’s determination to continue targeting unlawful operators and warned business owners against hosting illegal gambling machines. She emphasized that allowing these machines to operate on commercial premises violates Section 82(1) of the North West Gambling Act, 2001. She also urged businesses to reject offers from individuals trying to install unlicensed gambling equipment.
According to the NWGB, illegal gambling machines are frequently found in small retail outlets and informal trading locations that operate without the required licenses or regulatory oversight. The Board says these operations undermine the integrity of the regulated gambling sector, expose consumers to unfair practices, and remove the protections available through licensed operators.
The NWGB has also appealed to members of the public to play an active role in combating illegal gambling by reporting suspicious activities to the relevant authorities. The Board believes that strong collaboration between regulators, law enforcement agencies, business owners, and local communities is essential to eliminating illegal gambling and safeguarding vulnerable populations.
As enforcement continues, the NWGB says it will maintain its focus on public awareness campaigns, routine inspections, confiscation of illegal equipment, and prosecutions where appropriate to ensure that gambling across the province remains legal, responsible, and properly regulated.
