Students at Kigumba Intensive Secondary School showed strong curiosity and awareness during a sensitisation session run by the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB). Part of the Board’s ongoing responsible-gaming initiative, the session gave students a chance to ask critical questions about both online and retail betting.

Students asked thoughtful, practical questions such as what measures prevent boys from betting online, how the regulator ensures betting shops enforce age limits, what students should do with their money instead of betting, whether sensitisation programmes are happening in all schools, and whether betting operators are held accountable when minors take part.

“These questions are not simple inquiries; they reflect awareness, critical thinking, and a genuine desire to make informed decisions,” said an NLGRB spokesperson. The Responsible Gaming team addressed students’ concerns and explained the Board’s work. They described safeguards such as strict age-verification rules that apply online and at physical betting outlets to block underage access.

They outlined enforcement measures: operators that permit minors to gamble face penalties and regulatory action. They suggested positive alternatives, encouraging students to invest time and money in education, sports, vocational skills, and other constructive activities.

They also explained that sensitisation is part of a larger campaign aimed at reaching schools across Uganda to promote safe, responsible gaming habits. NLGRB emphasised that protecting young people requires more than enforcement; education and community engagement are essential.

The Board urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to continue conversations about gambling risks at home and in school, and to support young people in making informed choices. This school visit forms part of NLGRB’s mandate to ensure gaming in Uganda is conducted responsibly and that minors are safeguarded from gambling-related harms.