Uganda’s gaming regulator intensifies fight against unlicensed gambling
The Board has established an Enforcement and Investigations Unit to conduct thorough audits and inspections of gaming operators across the nation.
Uganda.- In a bid to protect the public from gambling-related risks, the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has stepped up its crackdown on illegal gaming operations in Uganda.
According to Denis Mudene Ngabirano, NLGRB’s CEO, the Board has a mission to protect its citizens from the negative consequences of gambling, in addition to regulatory duties such as licensing and oversight.
Ngabirano cited the Lotteries and Gaming Act, CAP 334, which granted the NLGRB the powers to license, monitor and enforce regulations in the Ugandan gaming industry. He said: “The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board was created by Parliament through the Lotteries and Gaming Act, CAP 334. Our main mandate is to supervise and regulate all gaming activities while ensuring citizens are protected from gaming’s harmful effects.”
Under Section 67 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, the Board is authorised to prosecute individuals or businesses operating gaming facilities without a licence and to take action against establishments that allow minors to gamble.
To ensure compliance, the Board has established an Enforcement and Investigations Unit that collaborates closely with the Inspection and Compliance team to conduct thorough audits and inspections of gaming operators across the nation.
Despite this effort, a key challenge for the NLGRB has been the widespread presence of unlicensed slot machines in small trading centres and rural areas.
Ngabirano said: “We’ve confiscated over 5,000 illegal slot machines with the help of the Uganda Police Force. These machines are not only illegal but also easily accessible to minors, making them particularly dangerous.”
Unregulated online betting platforms are also a rising threat, with unlicensed platforms operating unchecked and evading consumer protection safeguards. These betting platforms utilise mobile money systems to reach a broader audience, particularly young people.
