Uganda Launches National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board

Uganda’s gambling market just took a major step forward—but also faces serious challenges.

The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) is now officially active, tasked with overseeing Uganda’s entire betting and lottery ecosystem.

With youth gambling rising and concerns over addiction mounting, policymakers want more than licensing—they want real consumer protection.

Let’s take a deeper look at what this launch means, what the Board’s role could become, and how Uganda can strike the right balance.

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Uganda’s New Gambling Regulator Launches: Can It Balance Oversight and Public Protection?

Key Points:

• Uganda’s new NLGRB regulator is now operational, overseeing lotteries and betting across the country.
• Lawmakers urge the Board to address addiction and underage gambling, not just enforce licenses.
• The Board is expected to create responsible gambling policies and collaborate with both public and private stakeholders.

As someone deeply familiar with regulatory shifts in emerging gambling markets, I find Uganda’s launch of the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) both timely and necessary. But let’s be honest—launching a regulator is the easy part. Building one that actually balances growth and public health is where the real work begins.

The newly minted Board, which began operations in Kampala during an official ceremony, is now responsible for overseeing both lottery and betting operations in Uganda. This includes issuing licenses, monitoring operator compliance, and—crucially—protecting vulnerable consumers from the risks of gambling harm.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Ugandan lawmakers didn’t just talk about licenses and taxes. They explicitly called for action on gambling addiction, especially among young people. That’s a rare but welcome tone in a region where gaming oversight often stops at tax collection.

Uganda’s Gambling Market: Growth Meets Responsibility

Let’s not forget—Uganda’s gambling industry has grown rapidly in recent years. Mobile betting, online casinos, and local lotteries are all gaining ground. Tax revenues are flowing too—just recently, funds from betting taxes were allocated to support AFCON 2027 preparations, highlighting the government’s awareness of gambling’s fiscal upside.

However, rapid growth has brought unintended consequences. There are rising concerns over underage participation, unlicensed street operators, and communities impacted by problem gambling.

The real test for the NLGRB will be how it reconciles the Government’s financial interests with its duty to protect citizens.

From Licensing to Leadership

Uganda doesn’t just need a regulator that approves paperwork. It needs a regulator that leads.

That means developing a national responsible gambling strategy—ideally in collaboration with public health agencies, NGOs, tech platforms, and licensed operators. It also means creating rules for advertising standards, mandatory age verification, and robust reporting frameworks for betting companies.

The Board must also invest in education and awareness campaigns, particularly in rural and low-income communities where gambling literacy is lowest. These programs should explain not just the risks of betting, but how to seek help when things go wrong.

We’ve seen this model succeed in jurisdictions like Kenya, where the Betting Control and Licensing Board has shifted toward a more holistic regulatory approach—even though challenges remain.

The Role of International Influence

Let’s also not overlook the importance of regional alignment. Uganda is not alone in tackling this issue. Across East Africa, countries like Tanzania and Rwanda are rethinking their gaming laws. The NLGRB has an opportunity to learn from their efforts while establishing Uganda as a model for balanced regulation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Partnering with established global regulators—like the UK Gambling Commission or Malta Gaming Authority—can bring best practices, technical expertise, and policy guidance that fast-tracks success.

Conclusion:

In my opinion, the launch of Uganda’s National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board is a critical first step, but not the finish line.

The Board’s challenge now is to go beyond the surface—beyond licensing and enforcement—and become a true guardian of public interest in an industry with both massive potential and real risks.

If Uganda gets this right, it can become a regional leader in smart, responsible gambling regulation. But that will take transparency, collaboration, and courage. The gambling sector is watching, and more importantly, so are the communities that stand to gain—or lose—the most.