The Government of Uganda is working to improve transparency and tax collection in the growing betting and gaming sector through the Tax Procedures Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (Bill No. 9), presented by Finance Minister Matia Kasaija on March 25, 2025.
Central Payment System for Betting
A major change introduced in the bill is the establishment of a central payment system for gaming and betting, licensed by the Bank of Uganda and monitored by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
- All bets placed and winnings paid out must go through this system, ensuring accurate earnings reporting.
- Non-compliant operators will face penalties, including double the amount of tax owed or a fine of 5,500 currency points, whichever is higher.
- The URA will oversee all betting payouts to ensure proper tax collection.
- The Uganda National Lotteries and Gaming Board (NLGB) aims to generate UGX 300 billion from gaming in 2024/2025.
Technology to Track Mobile Betting
Uganda has adopted advanced digital tools to monitor mobile betting transactions:
- TIMS (Telecommunications Intelligent Monitoring System) and DMS (Data Monitoring System), developed by Global Voice Group (GVG), track mobile money gambling.
- Since their introduction in 2016 and 2018, these systems have increased gaming tax revenue significantly.
- 92% of online bets in Uganda are placed via mobile money, contributing to $26 million in gaming tax revenue—up from $5 million in 2019/2020.
- Tax revenue from gaming rose by over 300% between 2021 and 2022.
A Step Toward Stronger Governance
Experts view this bill as part of Uganda’s broader push to enhance digital governance. By integrating real-time data tracking, the government hopes to improve tax collection and sector regulation, preventing revenue loss due to fraud.
With the betting industry rapidly expanding, these measures could bring Uganda closer to a more accountable and profitable gaming sector.
