NLGRB addresses audit concerns with new gaming product and licensing measures
The regulator outlined changes to its licensing, procurement and performance-monitoring processes while responding to queries from Parliament’s COSASE committee.
Uganda.- Uganda’s National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has introduced several regulatory and administrative measures to address weaknesses identified in the Auditor General’s report for the 2024/25 financial year.
The regulator outlined the measures on August 26 when it appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), chaired by Muwada Nkunyingi, to respond to queries contained in the audit report.
One of the concerns involved the system used to approve gaming products. The NLGRB said it has since developed and begun implementing the Uganda Games Classification and Product Approval Frameworkk, a risk-based system for assessing, approving, monitoring and reassessing gaming products.
The framework is intended to give the regulator a structured basis for determining how different gaming products should be classified and assessed before and after approval.
The Auditor General also raised concerns over the processing of four foreign software providers outside the NLGRB’s electronic licensing system. The regulator explained that the licensing portal initially required applicants to have a Ugandan Tax Identification Number and a Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) registration number. This meant eligible foreign applicants without those local identifiers could not complete the standard electronic process.
NLGRB said the platform has now been reconfigured to accommodate eligible foreign applicants. It added that all four applications were subsequently evaluated and approved, with the required fees paid through the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
Information-systems audit capacity was another area identified for improvement. The NLGRB said it has commenced specialised information-systems audit training for its Internal Audit team.
The regulator recently partnered with Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) to host a training on Uganda’s gaming standards for its staff, covering the assessment of gaming systems, interpretation of testing reports and evidence-based regulatory audits.
The regulator also reported changes to its procurement and performance-management processes. It said procurement opportunities have been incorporated for women, youth and persons with disabilities, addressing concerns over compliance with procurement reservation schemes.
NLGRB has also refined its performance indicators and introduced an automated monitoring and evaluation system to improve how it tracks institutional performance.
The measures come as Uganda’s gaming sector becomes increasingly dependent on digital systems, making effective oversight of licensing, gaming products and operator compliance an important part of the regulator’s responsibilities.
The regulator said it welcomed Parliament’s scrutiny and would implement valid recommendations arising from the accountability process.
