Illegal Gaming Dispute Ends with Attack in Bolivia
Bolivia’s Gaming Control Authority (AJ) agents were threatened on July 7, 2022, when their agents attempted to seize illegal gaming equipment in Santa Cruz. The Bolivian department and capital of Santa Cruz have been the subject of a heated war on illegal gaming for some time, which has seen hundreds of gaming devices seized in 2022 alone. Physical violences marks an escalation of the conflict between Bolivian gaming authorities and illegal gaming operators.
Bolivian gaming authority agents were attacked during a raid on July 7. ©Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash
What happened in the July 7th attack?
Though Bolivia’s Gambling Control Authority — or AJ — has been quite active in the country, having seized nearly 400 machines so far in the region of Santa Cruz, there are still clandestine betting schemes in operation. The AJ continues to fight illegal operators by identifying such operations and going directly to the source to seize illegal equipment they may be using, as well as to issue fines.
On Thursday July 7, in the evening, agents from AJ visited a site on Calle Pororo in Santa Cruz, resulting in a total of 61 pieces of gaming equipment getting taken away. Prior to the successful end of the mission, those in charge of the illegal machines tried to prevent players from leaving the premises. This resulted in the agents themselves getting attacked when they tried to intervene.
Furthermore, those running the premises came into direct confrontation with agents from AJ when they tried to take away their weapons, in order to prevent them from seizing the equipment at that moment. The agents nonetheless prevailed and the equipment was successfully taken away.
Now, those illegal administrators face more than confiscated equipment and fines for their activities. They will also be charged with punishments based on their attacks. The agency has made a statement to say that they will pursue justice in this case, and show that illegal gaming raids will continue. They described the events as an attempt in intimidation, and that they will not give in to such aggression.
There have been 15 raids so far in 2022 throughout Santa Cruz, Bolivia. These raids continue as the government and gaming authority attempt to uphold legal gaming regulations and to protect the wellbeing of gamers who want to participate in safe, regulated gambling in the country. Bolivia joins LATAM countries like Colombia in its attempts to better regulate the industry within its borders.
Bolivians warned over WhatsApp scams
In related news, the Gaming Control Authority of Bolivia has also warned citizens about current scams being distributed through WhatsApp messages. Messages come through via the texting platform claiming to offer prizes, but actually requesting money transfers from their targeted victims.
The AJ urged citizens receiving such messages to question those offering prizes to ensure their authenticity. They say draw dates and various prizes can also be verified as legal through AJ’s official website. Apparently, so far many of these fake prize scams have used official entities to cover up their illegal doings, by claiming to come directly from the AJ or other government authorities.
The AJ’s executive director, Jessica Saravia, specified that the agency will never ask for a deposit of money transfer in exchange for receiving a gaming prize, and that this is a clear sign of a fraudulent request. Users can also never win a prize that they did not explicitly enter — another sign that such propositions are always a scam.
