by Ncaba Ntshakala
The Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, through the Eswatini Gaming Control Board, has raised alarm over the increasing prevalence of illegal gambling activities in the country, particularly the unregulated use of small slot machines positioned outside shopping outlets.
These unauthorized operations have become a concern for the authorities, given their accessibility to children and their violation of the recently enacted Gaming Control Act of 2024.
The Ministry has reminded the public that the operation of any gambling or gaming activity without a valid license or permit, and outside designated gaming premises, is a criminal offense.
The Gaming Control Act sets to ensure that gambling activities are regulated, protecting both public interests and vulnerable groups.
One of the key violations noted is that these unlicensed slot machines are accessible even to children under the age of eighteen.
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Section 6 of the Act explicitly prohibits minors from participating in any form of gambling or handling gaming machines.
The Ministry emphasized that any person or business found operating such machines must dispose of them immediately.
To enforce compliance, the Ministry announced that it will work with stakeholders to conduct inspections across the country.
Any illegal machines discovered during these inspections will be confiscated, and offenders will face prosecution under the provisions of the Gaming Control Act.
The Ministry further warned that failure to comply with the order to cease operations and dispose of the machines will attract severe punitive measures as stipulated by the law.
The rise in unlicensed gambling activities in Eswatini mirrors similar challenges faced by neighbouring countries, such as South Africa.
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In South Africa, illegal gambling machines have been a persistent issue, with law enforcement agencies regularly conducting raids to curb these activities.
The South African government, through the National Gambling Board (NGB), has noted that unlicensed operations often target economically vulnerable communities, exploiting individuals with promises of quick financial gain.
In several provinces, including Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, authorities have seized hundreds of illegal slot machines in recent years and issued hefty fines to operators.
One notable case in 2022 involved the arrest of several individuals in Cape Town for operating unlicensed gambling machines in informal settlements.
These operations were found to contribute to social problems, including crime and gambling addiction.
To combat the issue, South African authorities have been engaging in nationwide campaigns, including public awareness programs, and have intensified inspections to discourage illegal gambling
