National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board says Uganda gaming industry is entering a new era where technology, automation and stronger compliance systems will shape the future of regulation.
As online betting and digital gaming continue to expand across the country, the regulator says traditional oversight methods are no longer sufficient to supervise the rapidly evolving sector.
Speaking during a media roundtable in Kampala, NLGRB Chief Executive Officer Denis Mudene Ngabirano said the gaming industry is becoming increasingly sophisticated, requiring regulators to modernize their own systems in response.
According to Mudene, the future of gaming is heavily technology-driven, making it necessary for regulators to automate monitoring systems and strengthen compliance oversight to keep pace with industry changes.
A major focus of the regulator’s strategy is the expansion of the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS), which enables real-time monitoring of gaming activities and operator compliance. The system has already been integrated with the National Identification and Registration Authority to improve age verification and strengthen safeguards against underage gambling.
Uganda currently maintains a legal gambling age of 25 years, one of the highest thresholds globally. The regulator says this reflects deliberate efforts to protect vulnerable groups from the risks associated with gambling.
The Board is also seeking amendments to existing gaming laws to better address the realities of online gaming. Proposed reforms aim to strengthen player verification systems, establish clearer distinctions between online and land-based licences, and introduce more advanced technical standards for gaming operations.
According to the regulator, nearly 74 percent of gaming activity shifted online following the Covid-19 pandemic. This transition significantly changed both consumer behaviour and the methods required for effective industry oversight.
Uganda has also positioned itself as one of Africa’s early adopters of gaming standards. Working alongside the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, the regulator has developed nine standards for the gaming sector focused on operations, compliance and quality assurance.
Mudene said the goal is to create a regulatory framework that supports innovation while maintaining accountability and consumer protection across the industry.
Beyond oversight, the regulator is also looking to encourage local participation in gaming technology development. Proposed legal reforms would introduce differentiated licence fees aimed at supporting Ugandan-owned gaming technology companies and encouraging local software innovation.
Mudene noted that Uganda has a growing pool of talented IT professionals and that the regulator wants to create opportunities for local companies to compete within the broader gaming ecosystem.
Responsible gaming remains another key part of the Board’s technology-led strategy. Through partnerships with public and private healthcare providers, confidential mental health and addiction support services are available free of charge for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
The regulator says individuals can access counselling and rehabilitation support through its toll-free helpline, 0800 285 800.
The gaming sector continues to play an increasingly important role in Uganda’s economy. The industry generated UGX 323 billion in tax revenue during the last financial year, while UGX 271.6 billion had already been collected by March toward the FY2025/26 target of UGX 391 billion.
Uganda currently has 63 licensed gaming operators and more than 2,000 approved gaming premises nationwide. The sector employs approximately 23,000 people, with women accounting for around 85 percent of the workforce.
According to Mudene, the industry’s contribution extends beyond tax revenue, supporting employment, advertising, rental income, internet service providers and the wider digital payments ecosystem.
However, illegal gaming activity remains a major challenge for regulators. Since FY2021/22, authorities have destroyed 7,797 illegal gaming machines and blocked 23 illegal operators through partnerships with payment processors and mobile money providers.
To improve nationwide oversight, the Board plans to expand from its current regional offices in Mbale, Gulu and Mbarara to six offices across the country, particularly in areas with high gaming activity.
Mudene said the regulator’s long-term goal is to stay ahead of industry developments rather than simply reacting to them.
As Uganda’s gaming industry continues to evolve digitally, regulators say technology-driven oversight, responsible gaming initiatives and stronger compliance systems will remain essential to ensuring a sustainable and well-regulated sector.
