In an interview with the African Lottery and Gaming Association (ALGA)<\/strong>, NLGRB Chief Executive Officer Denis Mudene Ngabirano <\/strong>said the board is focusing on tighter oversight of operators and broader public awareness measures to strengthen responsible gambling standards in Uganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ngabirano stated that the board\u2019s first layer of consumer protection begins with stricter licensing procedures. According to him, operators are subjected to due diligence checks before approval to ensure they meet financial, technical and compliance requirements linked to responsible gaming obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He noted that the regulator is also relying on the National Central Electronic Monitoring System<\/strong> to oversee gaming activity and track operator compliance. The system supports the enforcement of measures such as betting limits, self-exclusion tools and time controls intended to reduce excessive gambling behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The comments come amid rising mobile and online betting activity across African markets, requiring regulators to improve consumer safeguards while maintaining industry expansion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ngabirano told ALGA that regulation alone is not sufficient to address gambling-related harm, noting that the board is expanding public education campaigns to highlight gambling as a form of entertainment rather than a source of income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The regulator is also expanding cooperation with financial institutions, law enforcement agencies, civil society groups and mental health professionals to improve prevention and support services. The CEO said the board plans to work with Uganda\u2019s Village Health Teams and other community health structures to help identify early signs of problem gambling and connect affected individuals to support services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On illegal gambling, Ngabirano explained that the board has intensified enforcement operations against unlicensed operators. He pointed to Operation Mashine Haramu, an enforcement initiative aimed at removing illegal gaming machines from communities. He added that collaboration with the Uganda Police Force and other state agencies has strengthened enforcement efforts and the prosecution of illegal operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When asked about improving gambling oversight across Africa, Ngabirano said African regulators should invest in technology-driven oversight systems and develop regulatory frameworks that balance economic contributions from the gambling sector with player protection measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He emphasised that long-term sustainability in Africa\u2019s gambling sector will depend on whether regulators, operators and public institutions can maintain coordinated oversight as digital gaming expands across the continent. According to Ngabirano, stronger cooperation between regulators and industry stakeholders will be necessary to improve compliance standards, limit illegal gambling activity and strengthen responsible gaming measures in emerging markets.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/04\/UK-success-in-reducing-underage-exposure-to-gambling-ad-300x200.jpg\")
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