Bolivian Regulator Seizes Illegal Slot Machines in Caranavi

The latest intervention brings the total number of illegal gambling devices seized in 2025 to 85, across 61 separate enforcement actions.

According to the regulator, the machines were discovered in the Alcoche area, where a local food establishment was being used to conceal gambling activity. The manager of the venue has been identified and now faces administrative proceedings for possessing and operating unlicensed gaming equipment. AJ reiterated that owning or hosting illegal machines carries steep financial penalties of 5,000 Housing Promotion Units (UFVs) per confiscated device, equivalent to several thousand bolivianos, alongside potential legal consequences for repeat or aggravated offences.

Officials warned that some individuals or businesses are persuaded to host gambling devices through misleading claims of easy profits. AJ stressed that such arrangements are also punishable under Bolivian law, as they contribute to the spread of unregulated gambling that undermines consumer protection and state revenue collection.

The authority highlighted that the department of Santa Cruz continues to record the highest number of illegal device seizures in the country, reflecting both the scale of operations there and the effectiveness of community-led reporting. AJ noted that many of its recent interventions were initiated following anonymous citizen tips, underscoring the vital role of public cooperation in exposing illegal gaming activities.

To support enforcement, AJ operates regional WhatsApp hotlines and an online reporting system through its official website, encouraging residents to report any suspected unlicensed gambling operations confidentially. The regulator emphasized that such reports have been instrumental in enabling swift and targeted actions against offenders.

This latest seizure forms part of a broader crackdown on illegal gambling across Latin America. Governments and regulators throughout the region are intensifying efforts to dismantle unlicensed gaming networks, protect consumers, and safeguard legal gambling revenues. In neighboring Colombia, for example, the national gaming authority Coljuegos recently awarded a keno concession projected to generate $485 million in revenue over five years — a contrast to the losses caused by illegal operations.

By maintaining consistent enforcement and fostering public collaboration, Bolivia’s AJ aims to strengthen transparency and accountability within the country’s gaming sector, ensuring that gambling remains a regulated and lawful activity.