POLOKWANE – The Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) with the Limpopo Gambling Board and the police, disposed of illegal gambling machines at E-Waste Limpopo in the city as part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on unlawful gambling activities across all five districts of the province.

Illegal gambling fuels social harm, says MEC

The high-impact operation, held on April 17 in Laboria, and led by the MEC Tshitereke Matibe, saw over 200 illegal gambling machines being destroyed.

Matibe stated that under the Limpopo Gambling Act, Act 3 of 2013, it is unlawful to operate illegal gambling devices and that the presence of such machines in communities fuels deeper social issues.

“Their presence represents illegality, exploitation, social harm and the normalisation of gambling in spaces where it should never exist. We have engaged with shop owners, residents and local leaders to ensure they understand the legal implications of hosting illegal machines.”

Offenders face fines of up to R3k

He outlined the progress made in terms of enforcement efforts: “Offenders have been subjected to fines ranging from R1 000 to R3 000, with admission of guilt fines amounting to R47 000. Our investigations have uncovered organised networks behind these operations.

These activities are often driven by networks involving both local and foreign actors, distributing machines across towns and villages under the cover of night.

Illegal machine numbers drop

Despite the ongoing challenge, there has been a decline in illegal machines. This brings the total number of machines destroyed this financial year to 399, down from 882 in the previous year,” he said.

E-Waste Limpopo demonstrated the recycling process with representative Cirienne Janse van Rensburg emphasising that the machines are responsibly disposed of, with certification issued.

“We ensure that these machines are not only destroyed but also recycled in an environmentally responsible manner,” she said.