Uganda gaming regulator and police join forces to tackle underage gambling
The Board’s partnership with law enforcement and its expanded regional presence highlight its commitment to enhancing oversight, accountability and responsible gaming in the country’s gambling market.
Uganda.- The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has convened a meeting with police officials from the Rwizi Region to discuss strategies for combating underage gaming and non-adherence to gambling regulations.
The meeting, held on May 27 at the Lake View Hotel in Mbarara, drew attendance from senior law enforcement officials, including district police commanders and officers in charge of criminal investigations, as well as local leaders and gaming industry experts from several districts across the region.
Central to the discussion were the pressing challenges facing the gaming industry, especially minor gambling and regulatory non-compliance.
In his opening remarks, Denis Mudene, NLGRB’s CEO, underscored the crucial role the partnership between law enforcement and the gaming regulator plays in promoting a compliant gaming industry.
According to Mudene, the sector is experiencing rapid expansion, and as such, there is a need for stricter regulations to prevent harm to citizens, especially children.
SSP Bosco Bakashaba, Deputy Regional Police Commander, emphasised the responsibility of the police to protect citizens. He called on police officers to maintain high standards of integrity when engaging with illegal gaming operators and to support the Board’s regulatory initiatives as stipulated by law.
At the meeting, the NLGRB unveiled its plan to expand its presence by opening six new offices in districts such as Mbarara, Gulu and Mbale, effective July 1, 2025. These offices will operate as regional centres for overseeing compliance, handling enforcement matters and interacting with local communities to prevent minors from accessing gaming services.
District leaders were also invited to share their local perspectives and offer recommendations to improve gaming regulations in their respective areas.
Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, Mayor of Mbarara City, thanked the Board for taking stakeholder engagement to the regional level, particularly the planned Regional Office in Mbarara, which he believed would help address local gaming challenges.
The mayor urged law enforcement agencies to crack down on illegal gaming operators and establishments that allow minors to participate in betting activities.
The Board’s partnership with law enforcement and expanded regional presence highlight its commitment to enhancing oversight, accountability and responsible gaming in the country’s gambling market, especially as it continues to evolve and respond to emerging trends.
