Key points:
- Uganda’s new gaming regulator has officially begun operations
- The Board is tasked with regulating both lotteries and betting in the country
- Lawmakers are urging the body to prioritise gambling addiction prevention
Uganda’s newly established National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has officially begun its work, with legislators urging the body to take an active role in addressing rising gambling-related harm.
The Board, inaugurated during a formal session in Kampala, is now responsible for overseeing the country’s betting and lottery sectors.
Officials highlighted the need for regulation to go beyond licensing and enforcement. Several speakers expressed concern over betting addiction, particularly among young people, and encouraged the board to prioritise public protection in its mandate.
Members of Parliament stressed the need for the regulator to balance market oversight with consumer protection.
Officials from the Ministry of Finance also attended the launch and affirmed that the Board’s creation is part of an effort to formalise and better monitor gambling activity in the country.
According to Matia Kasaija, the Minister of Finance, who inaugurated the new Board, “the Government recognises the importance of the gaming sector, not only as a source of non-tax revenue, but also in promoting responsible gaming.”
Good to know: Uganda recently allocated betting tax revenue to support AFCON 2027 preparations
While Uganda has experienced growth in its gaming sector, concerns about underage gambling, unlicensed operators and increasing social impacts have drawn greater scrutiny from the country’s Government.
The Board is expected to develop new policies, collaborate with stakeholders and implement a framework that addresses both market regulation and consumer protection. Gambling Insider
