Hartebeespoortdam – The South African Police Service in collaboration with the North West Gambling Board have intensified their efforts to combat illegal gambling in the province as we approach the festive period.
On 29 November 2021, the Police pounced on two taverns in Hartebeespoortdam in which unlicensed gambling machines were confiscated and the tavern owners were arrested for possession of gambling machines without a license or authorization from the North West Gambling Board.
Being in possession of gambling machine or any gambling device is an offence in terms of the North West Gambling Act which on conviction carries imprisonment of up to ten years and or a fine.
Illegal gambling continues to be an area of concern for the province and the consequences thereof are dreadful mainly on women and children. With South Africa commemorating 16 days of violence against women and children, the North West Gambling is hard at work with other Law enforcement agencies to curb the spread of such operations.
The North West Gambling Board Acting CEO, Mr Bafana Mabale expressed his satisfaction with work done by the Entity in collaboration with key stakeholders to close down on illegal gambling operators.
“We have made progress working with the South African Police Service and the South African Revenue Service in previous years as most gambling machines were confiscated and destroyed over time resulting in very few machines left in the environment to date. We will ensure that we leave no stone unturned to close illegal operations so we can protect the society from falling prey to these perpetrators. Illegal gambling is diverting the much-needed revenue for the licensed gambling operations and that is a cause of concern which we are addressing “says Mabale.