The North West Gambling Board and South African Police Services were hard at work combatting the growing trend of illegal gambling in the Province with particular attention to the Chinese Roulette/Cherry master gambling machines. These machines are mostly located in spaza shops operated by foreign nationals, who in some instances are without the necessary residential permits.
Recently, the North West Gambling Board and South African Police Service in Vryburg, pounced on a property which was identified through the crime intelligence operations as an alleged spot used to manufacture Chinese Roulette gambling machines. One hundred and thirty illegal gambling machines were confiscated and one Chinese national was arrested and appeared in the Vryburg Magistrate court on Monday, 22 July 2024 for bail application. Investigations in this regard are still continuing.
“This operation follows a string of efforts by the Board and the Police to clamp down on illegal gambling across the province in which one hundred and ninety six illegal gambling machines were confiscated in the first quarter of 2024/25 Financial Year” said Mr, Simon Mogapi, the Gambling Control Manager from the North West Gambling Board.
Possession of any type of gambling equipment without the necessary license or permission from the North West Gambling Board is an offence. Chinese roulette gambling machines are illegal in South Africa and the usage therefore is a criminal offence. Members of the public are urged to report anyone who is in possession of these machines or exposing them to the public to the South African Police or the Board via email on ceo@nwgb.coza or call 072 334 2468 (Monday -Friday) during office hours.
