The Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER), in collaboration with the SAPS, continues its operations to eliminate illegal gambling in the province by confiscating illegal gambling machines, mostly at spaza shops.
One-hundred-and-eighty Chinese Roulette gambling machines were confiscated and destroyed at the Tekwane West Central Waste Disposal Site on October 31.
This operation followed June’s last year when 50 of these machines were collected and destroyed.
@lowvelder WATCH: The Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, working with the SAPS, confiscated and destroyed 180 illegal Chinese Roulette machines. The destruction took place at Tekwane West’s Central Waste Disposal Centre. #MER #mpumalangaeconomicregulator #Gambling
The MER’s spokesperson, Cedrick Chiloane, said these machines had not undergone testing or certification by the relevant standards authority, rendering them unsuitable and illegal for public use. “By destroying the machines, we aim to send a message to the public to avoid illegal and underage gambling. These machines are not suitable for consumption as they did not pass any standard. They are being offered at spaza shops, especially in the locations and rural areas, and these venues are not licensed. They are also not built with a return to the player, as legal gambling machines should have a percentage paid to the player. Instead, the purpose and intention of these Chinese Roulettes is to take and take without any payouts,” he said.
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Chiloane said these machines expose minors to gambling at an early age, which can cause harm through addiction. “All gambling establishments should have their valid certificate visible in their premises. We also appeal to the public to avoid and report illegal gambling establishments to their nearest police station.”