Rwanda Orders Removal of 1,000 Foreign Slot Machines by December
Rwanda’s Development Board issued directives for foreign operators to remove 1,000 slot machines by the December 1 deadline. The authority gave operators three months starting in September to repatriate machines no longer complying with Rwanda’s 2024 gambling framework. Some affected machines held previous licenses but were installed outside approved venues or exceeded licensing limits.
Revised Regulations Restrict Casino Operations
Revised regulations restrict slot machines to fully licensed casinos under the new framework. The rules aim to ensure responsible usage and minimize social harm from gambling activities. Jacques Habyarimana, Head of Gaming Activities at RDB, stated companies received a three-month deadline to withdraw machines and repatriate them to permitted countries.
The directive forms part of a broader campaign targeting over 7,000 unlicensed or non-compliant slot machines nationwide. Authorities partner with Enviroserve Rwanda to dismantle and recycle machines. The initiative reduces gambling-related harm while safely disposing of hazardous electronic components.
Recycling Program Creates Employment Opportunities
At Enviroserve’s Bugesera facility, metals including steel, copper, and aluminum are recovered from dismantled machines. Plastics are exported for recycling, while circuit boards undergo processing for metals abroad. The program provides skills training for local youth, creating jobs in safe dismantling operations.
Olivier Mber, Country General Manager of Enviroserve Rwanda, stated collection exceeded 3,500 machines from Kigali and Eastern Province. Collection operations are expanding nationwide, according to facility management. The crackdown aligns with national gambling policy emphasizing responsible gambling and stronger regulatory oversight.
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