Uganda moves to control betting payouts through Central Bank

The Ugandan government is planning to centralize all payouts from betting, casino, and gaming activities through the Bank of Uganda in an effort to improve revenue collection and curb tax evasion, according to Daily Monitor. The proposal is outlined in the Tax Procedures Code Amendment Bill, 2025, which is currently being reviewed by Parliament’s Finance Committee.

If passed, the new law will require all gaming operators to process payments exclusively through a central payment gateway licensed by the Bank of Uganda under the National Payments Systems Act. This system will be linked directly to the Uganda Revenue Authority’s electronic system to facilitate real-time tax tracking.

Authorities say the move is a response to persistent issues with underreported revenues and irregular tax remittances in the sector. The centralized system is expected to bring greater financial transparency and accountability.

The bill also seeks to replace Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) with National Identification Numbers (NINs) to simplify tax compliance for individuals and businesses.