Uganda gaming regulator reports stronger revenue, enforcement and compliance gains since July 2025
The Board attributed part of the improvement in oversight to its UGX8.4bn (€1.96m) investment in the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS).
Uganda.- Uganda’s National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has reported higher compliance levels, increased gaming revenue and stronger enforcement against illegal gambling since its current Board assumed office in July 2025.
Speaking at the launch of the regulator’s Strategic Plan, Client Charter and Service Delivery Standards on July , Board chairperson Kenneth Robert Kitariko said the regulator had prioritised strengthening the country’s regulatory framework, expanding nationwide oversight, improving revenue assurance through technology and improving responsible gaming measures.
According to the Board, compliance among licensed operators increased from 68 per cent in the 2024/25 financial year to 79 per cent in FY2025/26 as regulatory monitoring and enforcement activities intensified.
The regulator said gaming revenue continued to grow over the past three financial years, rising from UGX194bn (€45.5m) in FY2023/24 to UGX323bn (€75.7m) in FY2024/25 before reaching UGX368.02bn (€86.2m) in FY2025/26. It projects collections will increase to UGX450bn (€105.5bn) in FY2026/27.
The Board attributed part of the improvement in oversight to its UGX8.4bn (€1.96m) investment in the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS), which monitors gaming turnover, taxation, suspicious transactions and responsible gaming compliance.
Enforcement efforts also expanded during the year. The regulator seized 4,400 illegal gaming machines in FY2025/26, while courts have authorised the destruction of 6,749 machines to date. Authorities also secured 23 convictions from 26 prosecutions involving suppliers of illegal gaming machines.
The Board added that it resolved 150 of the 154 complaints it received during FY2025/26 and extended its regional footprint by opening offices in Mbale, Gulu and Mbarara to improve access to regulatory services.
Kitariko said these outcomes had been supported through collaboration with the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda Revenue Authority, the Financial Intelligence Authority, local governments and other state agencies to strengthen monitoring and enforcement across the gaming sector.
Looking ahead, the regulator said it requires additional funding for inspections, enforcement, responsible gaming initiatives, technology and regional operations, alongside more technical, ICT, legal, intelligence and compliance personnel. It also called for amendments to the Lotteries and Gaming Act and related regulations to strengthen consumer protection and provide clearer oversight of online gaming, mobile betting and digital payment systems.
