The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), in partnership with Enviroserve Rwanda Green Park, has launched a nationwide campaign to collect and dismantle slot machines—locally known as Ibiryabarezi—so their components can be recycled into new materials.
The initiative comes three years after the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) banned the operation of these gambling machines in 2022, citing concerns over illegality, addiction, and social impact.
Enviroserve Rwanda’s Managing Director, Olivier Mbera, explained that the machines are being dismantled to recover valuable materials and safely dispose of hazardous components.
“These machines run on electricity and digital systems. When we collect them, we dismantle them to extract materials that can be reused, while safely handling harmful parts such as wires, plastics, and other toxic components that would otherwise damage the environment,” he said.
Illegal operations uncovered
According to Jacques Habyarimana, the RDB official in charge of monitoring gaming activities, the collection process has already revealed widespread illegal use of the machines. Authorities have identified at least 8,200 slot machines nationwide, including around 1,000 that were initially licensed but later misused.
“These were machines that operated illegally across the country,” Habyarimana noted. “Some belonged to individuals who had been given licenses by the government but later used them in violation of the law, while others simply granted themselves the right to operate them.”
Thousands already collected
In just two months since the program began, Enviroserve has collected 3,300 machines out of the 7,200 targeted nationwide. The effort started in Kigali City and has now expanded to the Eastern Province.
Authorities say the campaign will continue until all machines are removed from circulation, ensuring they no longer pose social risks or environmental hazards.
