Uganda targets UGX 450 billion in gaming revenue under new five-year plan

The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has unveiled its Strategic Plan for FY2025/26–FY2029/30, outlining a five-year fiscal strategy aimed at raising annual government revenues from the gaming sector to UGX 450 billion by FY2026/27.

The strategy, launched alongside the Board’s Service Delivery Standards and Client Charter, establishes a roadmap to maximize domestic revenue collection, strengthen regulatory compliance, and formalize the gaming industry nationwide.

Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Henry Musasizi noted that the new framework directly supports the government’s broader domestic revenue mobilization strategy and economic development goals.

“The Strategic Plan, Client Charter and Service Delivery Standards represent more than policy documents. They represent a commitment to accountability, innovation, responsible gaming and national development. They provide a clear framework for enhancing revenue mobilisation, strengthening regulation, protecting consumers and improving service delivery over the next five years,” Musasizi said.

The sector has already demonstrated significant fiscal growth under current regulatory reforms. Official figures show government gaming revenue increased from UGX 194 billion in FY2023/24 to UGX 323 billion in FY2024/25, reaching UGX 368.02 billion in FY2025/26. The projected surge to UGX 450 billion in FY2026/27 will be driven by digital monitoring, enhanced tax reconciliation, and continued elimination of illicit operations.

NLGRB Chief Executive Officer Denis Mudene Ngabirano emphasized that securing state revenue requires eradicating illegal gaming platforms that siphon funds away from the public treasury.

“Illegal gaming undermines legitimate businesses, deprives Government of revenue and exposes vulnerable Ugandans to unnecessary risk. This Strategic Plan marks the beginning of the next phase in the Board’s evolution as a modern, technology-driven regulator. Over the next five years, we will strengthen enforcement against illegal gaming, expand digital oversight, promote responsible gaming and improve service delivery,” Ngabirano said.

The Strategic Plan aligns with Uganda Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and the Government’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy. Its core priorities center on increasing tax and non-tax revenue, driving operational excellence through technology, promoting responsible gaming, and strengthening institutional governance.

Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi stressed that effective execution will be critical to meeting the government’s financial targets.

“A Strategic Plan without implementation remains a statement of intent. Service Delivery Standards without compliance remain aspirations. A Client Charter without accountability becomes only a public relations document. The challenge before NLGRB is therefore to convert these instruments into daily institutional practice and measurable public value,” Ggoobi said.

Board Chairman Kenneth Robert Kitariko reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting national economic growth through transparent and accountable oversight.

“We reaffirm the Board’s readiness to work closely with the Ministry to advance sound governance, fiscal accountability, effective regulation and public protection in the lotteries and gaming sector. We look forward to your guidance and support as we strengthen the sector’s contribution to Uganda’s development agenda,” Kitariko said.

Enforcement mechanisms implemented over the past year have laid the groundwork for this revenue expansion. Collaborating with the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Revenue Authority, Financial Intelligence Authority, and local governments, the Board raised sector compliance from 68 percent to 79 percent while confiscating 4,400 illegal gaming machines during the 2025/26 financial year alone.

Technology will serve as the core driver of future revenue growth. Through the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS), the regulator now maintains real-time visibility over gaming transactions and tax reconciliation. Concurrently, digital self-exclusion tools have enabled over 16,600 players to voluntarily restrict their gaming activity.

To safeguard these financial and operational systems, the Board attained ISO/IEC 27001 certification in June 2026. The international information security standard reinforces the cybersecurity framework protecting state revenue data, operator records, and player information as the industry transitions further into digital spaces.