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Authorities in Limpopo believe their crackdown on illegal gambling is succeeding.
The provincial economic development department this week announced a sharp decline in the prevalence of illegal gambling machines in Spaza Shops across rural and township communities, following sustained enforcement and awareness interventions led by the Limpopo Gambling Board (LGB) in partnership with police.
MEC Tshitereke Matibe presided over was the destruction of some 241 illegal gambling machines confiscated between July last year and March 2026 during coordinated operations across Limpopo.
The department said the latest figures bring the total number of machines destroyed in the current financial year to 399, a significant reduction from 882 in the previous financial year and believes demonstrates a measurable disruption to illegal gambling networks in the province.
MEC Matibe is quoted as attributing the recorded progress to intensified law enforcement as well as targeted awareness campaigns.
“The decline we are witnessing is a direct result of consistent enforcement, strengthened partnerships, and increased community awareness. We are seeing a shift—not only in the number of machines, but in attitudes towards illegal gambling in our communities,” said MEC Matibe.
In addition to the confiscation of equipment, authorities have also seized more than R5000.00 believed to be proceeds of unlawful gambling operations while admission of guilt fines to the tune of R47,000 were issued to offenders during the crackdown.
MEC Matibe is also quoted emphasising that the removal of the machines is critical to protecting communities from the social harms of gambling which includes financial loss, addiction, and the early exposure of minors to gambling behaviour.
The Limpopo Gambling Board is meanwhile expected to continue to with awareness campaigns and enforcement operations across Limpopo.
