The Kyebi Zonal Council in the East Akyem Municipal Assembly in the Eastern region has seized over 40 jackpot machines being operated by Chinese nationals at Kyebi.
The machine according to the Zonal council is causing petty stealing and absenteeism among school children in the area.
The operation which took place last night led to the seizure to all unauthorized jackpot machines operating illegally in Kyebi and its environs.
Even though some of the operators have business operation permit, the assembly say they have gone contrary to the rules governing their operation.
Joe Kingsley Oware is the Assemblyman for Kyebi New town electoral area and a member of the Kyebi zonal counsel.
“The parents complain that children steal their coins to come and play these machines. The parents are very worried. The zonal council chairman called for a meeting to look for the way forward to stop the operation of the machines at various places.
“We met and the resolution was that there should be an operation this after comprising a special taskforce,” he explained.
According to him, they started the operation across Kyebi township seizing the machines.
“When we get to where the machines are operated we consult the caretaker and then we take the machines into our vehicle.
He said the owners are later encouraged to come for them but are told to operate them within the parameters set by the Council.
“If they go against the law, next time when we get there we will seize it and burn it into ashes,” he stated.