Following a series of meetings in several district councils, local government officials in the Teso region of Uganda issued an urgent call to ban sports betting machines. The officials said the machines entice youth who spend the little money they have on betting instead of trying to improve their lives, and resolved that the proprietors of sports betting facilities must immediately remove the machines.
Ngora District Chairperson Ben Eumu said officials have given an ultimatum that all sports betting machines in various trading centers be removed before the end of the year, or face being destroyed. “Imagine every month a single machine earns proprietors $3,000, which they repatriate, home. This is unacceptable,” he said. Eumu added the region needs a clearly stated policy. “Betting in poor regions sends the country into more poverty,” he stated.
Amuria District Speaker Ketty Akol said a similar council resolution banning betting machines recently was passed and will be implemented soon. “We realize that with the looming famine, some youth sell grain to raise money for betting. As council it was prudent that these machines are phased out,” she said. Amuria District Chairperson Robert Okitoi Erisat added some machines already have been confiscated.
