Illegal Gambling Machines to Be Crushed in Beitbridge Crackdown
The Lotteries and Gaming Board of Zimbabwe will destroy a consignment of illegal gambling machines in Beitbridge on July 3, following a court order authorising their disposal.
The machines were seized during a nationwide enforcement blitz conducted from January 1 to 3 this year, targeting operators running gaming activities without valid licences.
In a statement, the board’s interim secretary, Dr Misheck Chingozha, said the destruction exercise is part of a broader effort to uphold regulatory standards and protect the integrity of Zimbabwe’s gaming sector.
“This exercise is being carried out in compliance with a court order authorising the disposal of the machines.
“It reflects the board’s continued commitment to upholding the integrity of the gaming industry in Zimbabwe and ensuring that all operators play by the rules,” he said.
Dr Chingozha stressed that the move is not merely symbolic, but a firm warning to those flouting the law. “The destruction event is intended to serve as a bold statement to underscore our zero-tolerance stance on illegal gaming activities.
“We want to make it clear that unlicensed operations will not be tolerated, and offenders will face serious consequences.”
According to The Herald, the board has extended formal invitations to key stakeholders and members of the public to witness the destruction ceremony.
The event is expected to highlight the importance of regulatory compliance and reinforce the legal requirement for all gaming operators to be properly licensed.
Authorities have intensified enforcement operations in recent months, particularly in urban and border towns such as Beitbridge, where unregulated gambling has been on the rise.
The board reiterated that all gaming activities must comply with national legislation, warning that violators risk prosecution, seizure of equipment, and business closure.
