Uganda’s gaming regulator pushes for standardised gaming CSR guidelines
Stakeholders at the session noted that a balanced CSR framework could help strengthen both industry sustainability and community development outcomes.
Uganda.- The chief executive officer of the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) of Uganda, Denis Mudene Ngabirano, has called for clearer minimum standards to guide corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions within the gaming industry, saying regulators should define baseline expectations while allowing operators flexibility to go beyond them.
He made the remarks while participating as a panellist on Day 2 of the iGaming Afrika Summit 2026, where discussions focused on the evolving role of CSR in the gaming sector and how it can be better structured to deliver sustainable impact.
According to him, regulators should take responsibility for setting foundational CSR requirements and identifying priority areas for industry contribution, while operators retain the discretion to align additional social impact initiatives with their own brand strategies.
He said: “The role of the regulator in CSR should be to set minimum standards and select areas where operators should contribute. The operator can then go over and above those minimum standards and contribute where they align with their marketing strategies.”
The discussion highlighted three key themes: the need for standardisation to ensure ethical and consistent contributions across the industry, flexibility for operators to design CSR initiatives that reflect their brand values, and collaboration between regulators and operators to maximise long-term social and economic impact.
Stakeholders at the session noted that a balanced CSR framework could help strengthen both industry sustainability and community development outcomes.
Ngabirano’s participation on the panel comes shortly after he received the “Rising Star in Responsible Gaming” award at the iGaming Afrika Summit Awards. The recognition acknowledged efforts by the NLGRB Uganda to strengthen responsible gaming measures, improve regulatory oversight and promote safer gambling practices within the country’s gaming sector.
