Rwanda Development Board (RDB) leads nationwide effort to dismantle over 7,000 illegal slot machines

RWANDA – Rwanda Development Board (RDB), in partnership with Enviroserve Rwanda, is spearheading a nationwide crackdown to remove more than 7,000 unlicensed slot machines from the market.

The seized machines will be dismantled and recycled as part of a broader government initiative aimed at curbing gambling-related harm and enhancing oversight of the gaming industry.

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), in partnership with Enviroserve Rwanda, an e-waste recycling company, is spearheading the initiative.

The officials recently oversaw the dismantling of some of the seized machines at a recycling facility in Bugesera District.

“We are currently dealing with around 7,000 slot machines. So far, we’ve collected over 3,500 from Kigali and the Eastern Province,” said Olivier Mbera, Country General Manager of Enviroserve Rwanda.

“These machines fall under electronic equipment. They contain hazardous materials, which is why we are working with RDB to ensure proper disposal.”

The collection drive began two months ago and is set to expand into the Southern, Western, and Northern provinces.

Once collected, the machines are dismantled to separate hazardous parts from reusable components.

Plastics containing harmful chemicals, flame-retardant cables, and circuit boards with precious metals are carefully sorted.

Steel, copper, and aluminum are recovered for reuse, while circuit boards are exported to Dubai for smelting. Plastics are shipped to markets in Asia for recycling into clothing fibers.

Licensed operators also affected

Alongside the crackdown on illegal machines, RDB has ordered eight foreign-owned companies operating about 1,000 licensed slot machines to withdraw them from Rwanda.

“These companies have been given a three-month deadline starting in September 2025. By December, none of these machines should remain in the country,” said Jacques Habyarimana, head of gaming activities at RDB.

Under current regulations, slot machines will only be permitted within licensed casinos. They were initially legalized under a 2011 law but widespread misuse led to a ban in 2022.

Authorities said some operators overextended their licenses, while others installed machines in local communities without authorization.

Policy shift in gaming oversight

The dismantling exercise follows Rwanda’s new national gambling policy released in 2024, which emphasizes three pillars: minimizing social harm, maximizing economic benefits, and strengthening regulatory oversight.

Key reforms include centralized monitoring systems, revised licensing, and stronger enforcement of responsible gambling practices.

One of the major changes is the full phase-out of slot machines, which regulators say carry high social risks while contributing little economic value.

To support the recycling initiative, Enviroserve Rwanda is also training local youth on safe dismantling practices, creating new skills and employment opportunities in the process.

By year’s end, Rwanda expects all slot machines, legal and illegal, to be out of circulation, marking a major milestone in reshaping the country’s gaming industry.

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