Uganda gaming regulator sensitises Masindi students on risks of underage gambling
The session focused on the risks associated with gaming, particularly the impact it may have on students’ concentration, academic progress and decision-making.
Uganda.- Uganda’s gaming regulator, the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), has conducted a responsible gambling outreach at Masindi Secondary School in the Albertine region as part of a nationwide drive to reduce underage participation in gambling activities.
The session focused on the risks associated with gaming, particularly the impact it may have on students’ concentration, academic progress and decision-making. During the engagement, officials used real-life examples to explain how gambling behaviour can affect young people if introduced at an early stage.
The engagement supports the regulator’s goal of mitigating underage gaming and increasing awareness in communities where mobile betting platforms are becoming more accessible.
Agnes Nakazibwe, Head Teacher of Masindi Secondary School, thanked the officials for the visit, noting that the school supports initiatives that help learners remain focused on their studies. She said: “As a school, we need our learners to maintain a focused and disciplined mindset. If their attention becomes preoccupied with activities such as betting, it will inevitably affect their concentration and hinder their academic progress.”
In Uganda, the rising use of smartphones and the growth of mobile betting platforms have made it easier for individuals, including minors, to interact with gambling services.
Authorities say the education campaigns are designed to complement enforcement measures that prohibit licensed operators from admitting underage individuals or allowing them to place bets. They believe school-based awareness programmes like this represent an early intervention strategy, helping students make informed decisions and encouraging responsible attitudes towards gaming.
The Masindi engagement is one of several planned activities under the regulator’s responsible gaming programme, which continues to expand across regions of the country.
