A Chinese national is in police custody following a major crackdown on illegal gambling operations in Uganda.
Authorities seized a massive haul of unlawfully imported gaming equipment in Nyamitanga, Mbarara District, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle underground gambling networks.
Zheng Feng, 39, was arrested after the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) discovered 50 boxes of smuggled gaming spare parts, 18 illegal slot machines, and six fully operational fish tables.
Investigators say the suspect was running an illicit gambling operation, violating Sections 57 and 58 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, 2016.
“This is part of a wider criminal enterprise that not only defrauds the government of tax revenue but also exposes Ugandans to exploitative and unregulated gambling,” an NLGRB official said.
Authorities believe such illegal operations could have links to organized crime and money laundering.
Zheng Feng now faces prosecution, with the possibility of severe fines and jail time.
Law enforcement agencies have vowed to continue rooting out illegal gambling dens and warned anyone involved in similar activities that they will face the full force of the law.
The NLGRB is urging the public to report any suspicious gambling operations to aid in cracking down on illicit gaming networks.
Officials stress that only licensed operators will be allowed to conduct gambling activities in Uganda, as the government tightens its grip on the multi-billion-shilling gaming industry.
This latest bust sends a clear message: illegal gambling will not be tolerated, and those behind it will be brought to justice.
