Uganda gaming regulator discusses technical standards with national standards body
Uganda’s National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board has met with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards to discuss applying international technical standards to gaming equipment and operations.
Uganda.- Uganda’s gaming regulator, the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), attended a technical workshop hosted by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) on May 8 to discuss the Global Standards Approach under the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement.
According to officials, the session introduced the gaming regulator to the process used in developing technical regulations and conformity standards for regulated industries. The discussions covered how standards can be used to assess gaming machines, systems and operational procedures in order to improve oversight of licensed operators.
Andrew Othieno, standards manager at UNBS, said technical standards are necessary to ensure gaming products are fair to players and that equipment used by operators meets safety and performance requirements.
The engagement comes as regulators in several African markets increase scrutiny of gambling technology, including betting terminals, online gaming systems and payment processes.
The WTO’s TBT framework allows member states to create technical regulations aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring product safety, while also discouraging unnecessary trade barriers. The agreement encourages countries to rely on internationally recognised standards when drafting national regulations.
Uganda is a WTO member and participates in the national TBT coordination framework managed through UNBS. The standards body says the committee structure helps government agencies align technical regulations with international trade obligations and consumer protection requirements.
For the gaming industry, the move could support future certification and inspection systems for gaming equipment used in casinos, betting shops and online gambling operations. Regulators globally increasingly rely on technical testing standards to verify payout accuracy, cybersecurity controls, transaction integrity and responsible gaming features.
The Board said the cooperation with UNBS forms part of broader efforts to strengthen transparency, compliance monitoring and public confidence in Uganda’s regulated gambling sector. Officials noted that the initiative will also help improve the standardisation of gaming equipment and enhance regulatory consistency across the sector.
