Uganda’s NLGRB unveils Responsible Gaming Directives promoting safer and smarter gambling
The new directives give operators clear guidelines while empowering players with tools to engage in gaming responsibly across Uganda.
Uganda.- Uganda’s National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has officially released the Responsible Gaming Directives 2025, marking a milestone in creating a safe and fair environment for gambling nationwide. Issued under Section 5(d) of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap 334, the directives aim to enhance safe and responsible play while minimising risks associated with gaming.
The Responsible Gaming Directives is a detailed seven-page document outlining all legal obligations for operators, while a one-page public notice serves as a summary guide highlighting key rules and safeguards.
The directives, signed on October 16 and officially released on November 14, 2025, apply to all operators offering gaming and betting activities, both land-based and online, and emphasise strict adherence to their requirements. The directive states: “Every licensee shall maintain a Responsible Gaming Policy committing to responsible gaming, player protection and harm minimisation.”
Operators must ensure all employees are trained on responsible gaming, problem gambling and available support tools. The document added: “Every licensee shall ensure that all employees, including new hires, receive annual training on responsible gaming.”
Player protections include self-exclusion, deposit and time limits and marketing restrictions to give players more control. “A licensee shall enforce self-exclusion and refuse service to excluded persons; prevent marketing materials from reaching excluded persons; remove excluded persons from marketing databases within two days of notification; close accounts of excluded persons and refund balances; prevent access to gaming or betting services during the exclusion period,” stated the guidelines.
Rules and penalties protect players
The directives also include employee eligibility standards, barring underage individuals, politically exposed persons, restricted persons or anyone with a criminal conviction. Operators must display responsible gaming information, including helplines, treatment resources and game rules.
Credit and promotions that encourage repeated gambling are prohibited, ensuring incentives support responsible play. Online operators must display licence info, contact details, age warnings, the slogan “Betting is addictive and can be psychologically harmful”, elapsed playtime and links to dispute resolution, self-exclusion forms and treatment resources. Alcohol restrictions prevent service or participation by visibly intoxicated individuals.
Fines, surcharges and possible licence suspension or revocation enforce compliance. The directive states: “Any licensee who fails to comply with these Directives commits a breach of licence conditions. The Board may impose an express fine on the licensee for each breach, not exceeding forty-eight (48) currency points. Continued non-payment may result in suspension or revocation of the licensee’s licence.”
The NLGRB’s Responsible Gaming Directives set clear rules for operators, ensuring gambling in Uganda is safe, fair and responsible, while giving players the tools and safeguards to make informed choices.
