The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) is stepping up enforcement efforts to combat illegal gaming operations across Uganda, with a focus on protecting the public from the negative effects of gaming.
Speaking in an interview, Denis Mudene Ngabirano, CEO of the NLGRB, emphasized that the Board’s core mandate is not only to license and regulate gaming activities but also to shield citizens from the adverse social and economic impacts of gambling.
“The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board is a body created by Parliament through the Lotteries and Gaming Act, CAP 334,” Ngabirano explained.
“Our main mandate is to supervise and regulate all gaming activities and, most importantly, to protect the citizens from the harmful effects of gaming,” he noted.
Enforcement Backed by the Law
According to Ngabirano, section 67 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act empowers the Board to take legal action against individuals and entities that operate betting, casino, and gaming facilities without a valid license plus those that allow minors to access these facilities.
“Section 67 is what we rely on as the Board. Once you’re apprehended, you can be fined, imprisoned, or face both penalties,” he said.
The Board has established an Enforcement and Investigations team to carry out this mandate. This unit works alongside the Inspection and Compliance team, which conducts nationwide checks to identify and verify gaming operations.
“We do inspections across the country. We find out who is operating and whether they are licensed as required by the law,” Ngabirano noted.
Community and Industry Collaboration
To broaden its enforcement reach, the Board also relies on information from the public and licensed operators.
These reports help pinpoint illegal operations that may not be immediately visible through routine inspections.
“We create awareness. Once we license operators, we publish their names on our website, so the public knows who is authorized,” he said.
“Licensed operators are also a great source of information. If someone sets up an unlicensed shop next to them, they report it, and we act on that information, Ngabirano continued.
This combination of structured inspections and community intelligence allows the Board to respond swiftly to emerging illegal activities.
Tackling Slot Machines and Online Betting
One of the biggest challenges facing the Board today is the widespread proliferation of unauthorized slot machines, commonly known as coin machines.
These devices are often placed in local trading centers and rural areas, where regulatory oversight is harder to maintain. According to the Lotteries and Gaming Act, Cap 334, gaming operations are not permitted below the jurisdiction of Town Councils.
“We’ve confiscated over 5,000 illegal slot machines with support from the Uganda Police Force, these are not only illegal but often easily accessible to underage users, making them particularly dangerous, we have a partnership with a licensed e-waste management company, Luwero Industries Limited that undertakes the destruction of confiscated illegal gaming equipment” Ngabirano pointed out.
Another rapidly growing threat is unlicensed online betting platforms. These sites operate without authorization from the Board, offering unregulated services and bypassing consumer protection laws.
“We’ve been working with the Uganda Communications Commission and mobile money operators to crack down on illegal online betting. So far, we have blocked and shut down 23 unauthorized betting websites,” he said.
These online platforms often integrate directly with mobile money systems, making them accessible to anyone with a phone, particularly the youth.
By intercepting these integrations, the Board is cutting off their ability to transact with Ugandan users.
NLGRB Focus on Public Protection
Ngabirano was clear that the Board’s regulatory efforts are about more than just enforcing rules; they’re about public safety and social responsibility.
“The board’s major mandate is to supervise and regulate all gaming activities and, most importantly, protect the citizens against the adverse effects of gaming,” says Ngabirano.
The gaming sector, if unregulated, can lead to significant social issues such as debt, school dropouts, and mental health disorders.
The Board’s enforcement arm is, therefore, part of a broader strategy to reduce these risks and ensure that the gaming industry operates responsibly and lawfully.
NLGRB Looking Ahead
The Board is investing in responsible gaming awareness and technology to improve monitoring and compliance.
There are ongoing partnerships, such as the one with Safe Boda Uganda, with other government agencies, including the Bank of Uganda, to give financial literacy, the Ministry of Health, as well as the Ministry of Education and Sports, to streamline efforts in mindset change and player protection.
The NLGRB has also committed to updating its regulatory tools and data systems to respond more effectively to evolving trends, particularly in the digital space.
As the country’s gaming industry continues to grow, so does the responsibility to ensure it operates safely and transparently
Credit: businesstimesug-com.cdn.ampproject.org
