The Livingstone City Council (LCC) has confiscated over 50 gaming machines known as Bonanzas from shop owners and club owners for operating without casino licences and failure to meet stipulated conditions.
The exercise was conducted in Maramba, Ngwenya, Dambwa and Libuyu Townships respectively.
Livingstone Public Relations Officer, Charity Chaiwila, said the exercise was conducted after establishing that shop and club owners were not observing the regulations attached to the gaming machines.
Ms Chaiwila said the local authority was compelled to confiscate the machines as they were becoming a nuisance in most townships.
She said the gaming machines that were confiscated have been sent to Lusaka where they are being held.
Ms Chaiwila said the local authority will not release the gaming machines until the owners meet the conditions stipulated in the laws on gambling.
“The exercise was very successful and people were very cooperative. Most of these machines were put either on the streets, in homes or outside bars and children under the age of 18 years were not restricted from accessing them,’’ she said.
She said the confiscated machines should be in casinos and accessible to people above the age of 18.
Ms Chaiwila urged all stakeholders planning on conducting gaming businesses to visit the council for guidance and advice.
Residents are happy and have welcomed the move saying it would be beneficial to communities in the district.
Between Hanyama, a Livingstone resident, said the council should continue conducting such exercises because the games had potential to corrupt people’s morals.
“A lot of couples have divorced because of the same ‘Bonanza’ game machines,” she said.
She said it was imperative for the local authority to monitor use of the games in public places to ensure adherence to stipulated regulations.
Zambia is governed with laws not bitter and hate minions.
Between Habanyama…….alot of couples has divorced.
Lusaka should emulate Livingi. Well done