NLGRB chief calls for smarter regulation amid rise in mobile-first gaming
The integration of betting platforms with mobile money services has made participation faster and more accessible.
Uganda.- The Chief Executive of Uganda’s National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), Denis Mudene Ngabirano, has called for more adaptive, technology-driven regulation as online betting and digital gaming reshape the country’s gambling landscape.
In an opinion article published in Uganda’s Daily Monitor, Ngabirano said Uganda’s young and increasingly digital population is driving a shift toward mobile-first gaming, with most betting activity now taking place online. He cited industry data indicating that about 93 per cent of gaming in Uganda is conducted digitally, with mobile phones used by the vast majority of bettors.
The integration of betting platforms with mobile money services has made participation faster and more accessible, allowing users to deposit, wager and withdraw funds in real time. This, combined with constant internet access and real-time sports content, has led to more frequent and immediate betting behaviour, particularly among younger users.
Ngabirano said this transition has exposed weaknesses in traditional monitoring systems that were originally designed for physical gambling outlets. In response, Uganda has increased the use of digital compliance tools, including the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS), which enables real-time tracking of gaming transactions to improve transparency, curb money laundering and reduce tax leakages.
He added that the system has improved visibility across the sector and strengthened enforcement against illegal operators. Improved compliance systems and digital monitoring have reportedly contributed to a sharp rise in gaming-related non-tax revenue collections over the past five years.
Ngabirano noted that the NLGRB is also expanding cooperation with multiple agencies, including the Financial Intelligence Authority, Uganda Revenue Authority and National Information Technology Authority, to improve data sharing and monitor financial transactions linked to gambling activities.
Alongside enforcement, the regulator is also reviewing existing gaming laws to align them with emerging technologies, including online gaming and artificial intelligence, as part of efforts to keep pace with the evolving sector.
Ngabirano said that while the industry contributes to employment and supports the wider digital economy, effective oversight will depend on how well regulation adapts to a fast-changing, youth-driven market.
