Uganda’s gaming sector expands with steady rise in online betting activity
Average player spends 8 to 12 minutes per session, placing bets of $0.3 to $1 (€0.28 to €0.92) on games like virtual sports or slots, according to market data.
Uganda.- Uganda’s gaming industry, centred on sports‑betting and online platforms, continues to expand as more people turn to digital services for wagering. This comes even as demand for online gaming services has risen in an industry now focused on mobile users.
Government revenue from licences reached UGX 323 bn (€73.1 m) in the 2024/25 fiscal year, up from UGX 50.6 bn (€11.5 m) five years earlier. Total wagers hit nearly UGX 8 trn (€1.81 bn) in the same period, reflecting a clear shift among users toward mobile apps and low‑data sites.
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), which oversees the sector, attributes this uptick to Uganda’s young population and growing smartphone use. More than 70 per cent of bets now come through mobile devices, with football matches drawing the largest crowds. NLGRB CEO Denis Mudende said in a recent interview: “Since COVID, about 65 per cent of operators moved online, and today, 93 per cent of gaming revenue comes from online platforms.”
Average players spend 8 to 12 minutes per session, placing bets of $0.3 to $1 (€0.28 to €0.92) on games like virtual sports or slots, according to market data from the first half of 2025.
Operators have responded by adding features tailored to local needs. KamBet, a retail‑focused firm, recently rolled out crash games in its shops to keep pace with digital trends. International partnerships are also common: GR8 Tech linked with BongoBongo in October 2025 to bolster offerings in Uganda and neighbouring countries, while Eurovirtuals recently expanded virtual sports to Bandabets outlets. These moves help firms reach over 300,000 new registrations monthly, with first‑time deposits averaging $2 to $4.
Regulatory changes play a key role in this development. The NLGRB launched its National Central Electronic Monitoring System in 2024 to track activity and formalise previously unlicensed set‑ups. About 52 companies hold licences, with ten new ones joining annually. Finance Minister Matia Kasaija praised the board’s work during a handover ceremony in July 2025, noting the sector’s role in revenue collection: “This growth shows what strong oversight can achieve for jobs and public funds.”
Taxes from gaming totalled UGX 133.4 bn (€30.2 m) in the 2022/23 fiscal year, supporting areas like infrastructure. Projections point to $35m‑40m (€32.2m to €36.8m) in revenue for 2025, climbing to over $55m (€50.6m) by 2030 at an 8 to 9 per cent annual rate.
While the industry adds economic value through direct employment and supplier contracts – estimated at over UGX 100 bn (€22.6 m) yearly in software alone – critics warn of social risks. With regional offices opening in Mbarara, Gulu and Mbale, the NLGRB seeks to expand enforcement across the country.
As Uganda prepares for events like the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, where betting taxes will fund preparations, the sector stands as a test of managed expansion in a digital age.
