Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania set to establish East African gaming regulators forum
A new regional push will see three East African regulators share information, close ranks on illegal gambling and strengthen protections for players.
Uganda.- Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania are moving to establish a new East African Regulators Forum to improve information sharing, coordinate enforcement against illegal and cross-border gambling, and advance responsible gaming and player protection.
The agreement was reached on the sidelines of the 17th Annual Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF 2026) Conference, which took place in Mozambique from September 14 to 17. The conference was held under the theme “Regulation for Transformation: Safer Gambling. Smarter Regulation. Stronger African Collaboration,” and brought together gaming regulators and industry stakeholders from across Africa.
Denis Mudene, CEO of Uganda’s National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), said: “On the sidelines of the conference, I met with fellow gaming regulators from Rwanda and Tanzania. We agreed to establish an East African Regulators Forum to facilitate knowledge and information sharing, strengthen coordinated enforcement against illegal and cross-border gambling, and advance responsible gaming and player protection across the region.”
Mudene said he had been entrusted with leading the forum’s formulation, including developing its proposed structure, objectives and framework for collaboration.
The move comes as digital gambling increasingly crosses national borders, with Mudene highlighting the need for coordinated approaches to licensing, compliance, enforcement and consumer protection.
Mudene added: “This is an important step towards stronger regional cooperation and a safer, more transparent and effectively regulated gaming industry in East Africa.”
The proposed forum comes as African regulators grapple with a rapidly changing gaming environment and the need for regulatory systems to keep pace with innovation.
The discussions at GRAF 2026 ranged from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to emerging digital technologies and real-time monitoring of gaming activity, with responsible gaming and stronger player protection also on the agenda as online betting continues to grow.
Mudene said the conference reinforced the importance of evidence-based, technology-enabled regulation and closer collaboration among African jurisdictions.
