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Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
The Lotteries and Gaming Board with the support of the police is carrying out an operation to stop illegal gaming activities around Beitbridge district.
A number of operators have installed illegal gaming devices in their houses especially in Beitbridge town.
Residents have been expressing concern over the proliferation of unlicensed gambling machines in high-density suburbs, which are reportedly attracting young children.
Lotteries and Gaming Board Secretary, Dr Misheck Chingozha said the operation started on December 31 and would continue indefinitely.
He said they were covering all rural and urban business centres where the illegal gaming devices had been installed.
“We cannot fold our hands while people break the law willy-nilly,” said Dr Chingoizha.
The police officer commanding Beitbridge district (Dispol), Chief Superintendent Melusi Ncube said so far they had recovered 75 illegal gaming devices from Lutumba and Beitbridge urban areas.
“We are not relenting and we won’t condone excessive gambling activities which are harmful to the society especially children,” he said.
“We have arrested 16 offenders who will be dealt with according to the laws of the land. Our team together with the enforcement officers from the Lotteries and Gaming Board are on the ground and will continue until we restore sanity in our policing area.”
In separate interviews recently, community members voiced frustration, describing the issue as a serious challenge for parents in the border town.
They condemned individuals for exposing their children to gambling at an early age, warning that is could have long-term consequences.
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