MAGLA Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling by Destroying K20m worth of illegal casino machines
The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) has destroyed 24 illegal casino machines valued at K20 million (€9,800), following the seizure of an unlicensed casino run by a Chinese national at the Lilongwe Game Complex. The operation came after a public tip-off led authorities to inspect the premises. The case quickly moved to the Principal Resident Magistrate Court in Lilongwe, where the operator pleaded guilty to violating the country’s gambling laws.
The court imposed a K1 million (€490) fine and directed the destruction of the machines under the Gaming and Lotteries Act, which prohibits unlicensed gaming operations to maintain industry standards. The destruction took place on December 22, 2025, at a Lilongwe City Council waste facility, with representatives from the court, police, city officials, and the media present to ensure transparency.
Speaking during the destruction exercise, MAGLA’s Acting Director of Legal Services, Owen Chuma, emphasized the seriousness of the offence: “The matter was reported to the Malawi Police Service and taken to court, where the operator pleaded guilty to the offence. Following the conviction, the court sentenced the offender to pay a fine of K1 million and further ordered that the seized gaming machines be destroyed”
Chuma further highlighted the importance of compliance for gaming operators: “Operators must follow correct procedures by applying for a licence. We guide them on what is required even before importing gaming machines, to avoid such violation.”
Thokozani Mkaka, Lilongwe City Council’s Deputy Director of Health responsible for waste management, explained the council’s role in the process, “The council received communication from MAGLA to destroy the confiscated gaming machines as part of its waste disposal mandate. Traditionally, waste is either burnt or taken to a final disposal site. In this case, we opted to destroy the items so that the process is transparent and witnessed.” He added that a certificate of destruction will be issued to MAGLA as proof that the machines were disposed of accordingly.
Malawi’s decisive action mirrors a wider regional effort to regulate gambling and curb illegal operations. Similar crackdowns have taken place across Africa, including in Uganda, where authorities confiscated unlicensed gaming equipment, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, where the Gambling Board targeted unauthorized casinos, and in Côte d’Ivoire, where illegal machines were destroyed to enforce compliance with national laws.
