The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB)<\/strong>, which oversees the sector, attributes this uptick to Uganda\u2019s young population and growing smartphone use. More than\u202f70\u202fper\u202fcent<\/strong> of bets now come through mobile devices, with football matches drawing the largest crowds. NLGRB CEO Denis Mudende<\/strong> said in a recent interview: \u201cSince COVID, about\u202f65\u202fper\u202fcent of operators moved online, and today,\u202f93\u202fper\u202fcent of gaming revenue comes from online platforms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Average players spend\u202f8\u202fto\u202f12\u202fminutes per session<\/strong>, placing bets of\u202f$0.3\u202fto\u202f$1<\/strong> (\u20ac0.28\u202fto\u202f\u20ac0.92) on games like virtual sports or slots, according to market data from the first half of\u202f2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Operators have responded by adding features tailored to local needs. KamBet<\/strong>, a retail\u2011focused firm, recently rolled out crash games in its shops to keep pace with digital trends. International partnerships are also common: GR8\u202fTech<\/strong> linked with BongoBongo<\/strong> in October\u202f2025<\/strong> to bolster offerings in Uganda and neighbouring countries, while Eurovirtuals<\/strong> recently expanded virtual sports to Bandabets<\/strong> outlets. These moves help firms reach over\u202f300,000 new registrations monthly, with first\u2011time deposits averaging\u202f$2\u202fto\u202f$4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regulatory changes play a key role in this development. The NLGRB launched its National Central Electronic Monitoring System<\/strong> in\u202f2024 to track activity and formalise previously unlicensed set\u2011ups. About\u202f52\u202fcompanies<\/strong> hold licences, with\u202ften new ones joining annually. Finance Minister Matia\u202fKasaija<\/strong> praised the board\u2019s work during a handover ceremony in\u202fJuly\u202f2025, noting the sector\u2019s role in revenue collection: \u201cThis growth shows what strong oversight can achieve for jobs and public funds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taxes from gaming totalled\u202fUGX\u202f133.4\u202fbn<\/strong> (\u20ac30.2\u202fm) in the 2022\/23 fiscal year, supporting areas like infrastructure. Projections point to\u202f$35m\u201140m (\u20ac32.2m\u202fto\u202f\u20ac36.8m) in revenue for\u202f2025, climbing to over\u202f$55m (\u20ac50.6m) by\u202f2030 at an\u202f8\u202fto\u202f9\u202fper\u202fcent annual rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the industry adds economic value through direct employment and supplier contracts – estimated at over\u202fUGX\u202f100\u202fbn<\/strong> (\u20ac22.6\u202fm) yearly in software alone – critics warn of social risks. With regional offices opening in Mbarara, Gulu and Mbale<\/strong>, the NLGRB seeks to expand enforcement across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Uganda prepares for events like the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations,<\/strong> where betting taxes will fund preparations, the sector stands as a test of managed expansion in a digital age.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/12\/FREE-DATA-300x200.jpg\")
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