Uganda’s gambling sector paid UGX 355bn in tax as regulator tightens safeguards

KAMPALA – Uganda’s gambling sector contributed UGX 355.4 billion in government revenue in the 2025/26 financial year, according to the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), which says it is tightening player-protection measures as the industry grows and moves increasingly online.

The Board says the sector now has 63 licensed operators and supports more than 24,000 jobs. It says continued growth must be matched by stronger regulation and consumer protection, and estimates that about 93% of gaming activity in the country now takes place online — a shift it says changes how and where people gamble.

The figures were released as Uganda joined the inaugural Africa Safer Gambling Week, a continental campaign running from 7 to 11 September that brings together regulators, industry associations, operators and safer-gambling organisations. The week is convened by the African iGaming Alliance (AiA), working with regulators and national industry bodies. According to the organisers, it aims to raise awareness of safer gambling, help players make informed choices and direct people to support.

The NLGRB Chief Executive Officer, Denis Mudene Ngabirano, said the industry’s growth called for a stronger focus on player protection.

“As regulators, our role goes beyond licensing operators and enforcing compliance. As gaming becomes easier to access, player protection must become stronger. Africa Safer Gambling Week gives us an opportunity to join our counterparts across the continent in putting the wellbeing of the player at the centre of the conversation about the future of gaming.”

The Board said it had introduced measures across prevention, player protection and support. According to the Board, its awareness programmes have reached 33,593 students and 1,600 teachers, with an emphasis on preventing underage gambling. It also called on parents, guardians, schools and community leaders to help protect young people from exposure to gambling.

Technology was also being used to strengthen protection, the Board said. Through the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS) and operator-linked systems, players can access self-exclusion, which allows a person concerned about their gambling to voluntarily restrict their participation. The Board said more than 16,700 players had used self-exclusion mechanisms through operator systems.

Allan Tumushabe, Managing Director of Chop Gaming, which trades as BetPawa Uganda, said operators were carrying out regular Know Your Customer (KYC) and age-verification checks to identify and block minors’ accounts, and offering self-exclusion for customers who needed to step away.

The Board said it had strengthened support for people experiencing gambling-related harm through its call centre, a counselling and referral programme, and partnerships with mental health professionals. It said the call centre had received 2,388 calls since February 2025, including 320 related to responsible gaming.

Janet Kantalama, Executive Director of Safe Places, described gambling-related harm as a public health issue affecting young people, and pointed to the organisation’s prevention work with the Board among school-going youth. “Help is available, free confidential counselling,” she said. Under the partnership, Safe Places provides counselling and treatment, with the cost covered by the Board.

Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe, CEO of the African iGaming Alliance, said the week sought to turn continental collaboration into practical action.

“Player protection is bigger than any one regulator, operator or jurisdiction. Through Africa Safer Gambling Week, we are bringing African stakeholders together around a shared responsibility to help people make informed choices, understand safer gambling and know where to access support when they need it.”

“Responsible gaming is not simply about telling someone to stop gambling,” Ngabirano said. “Where gaming begins to affect a person’s finances, relationships or mental wellbeing, they may need professional support. This is why our partnerships with health professionals and other stakeholders are an important part of our approach.”

As part of the week, the NLGRB said it would take awareness activities into communities, engaging boda boda riders, students, market traders and the taxi community, with a focus on financial literacy, recognising early signs of gambling-related harm and knowing where to seek help.

Members of the public seeking support can contact the Board on the toll-free helpline 0800 285 800.