Uganda’s Gaming Regulator Calls for Stronger Cross-Sector Collaboration to Tackle Gaming Risks

The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has urged closer collaboration between government agencies to strengthen oversight and address growing risks in Uganda’s gaming industry.

Speaking at the 4th Heads of Government Agencies (HOGA) meeting, NLGRB CEO Denis Mudene Ngabirano emphasized that gambling regulation now extends beyond the Board’s mandate and requires support from other sectors, including finance, health, ICT, law enforcement, and communications. He called for an integrated framework for intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement, and harmonized compliance standards to counter issues such as fraud, money laundering, and underage gambling.

Ngabirano stated that the rise of digital gaming platforms presents new challenges that can only be managed through multi-agency cooperation. “The NLGRB alone cannot monitor every risk in this fast-changing environment. Collaboration is the only sustainable path toward a fair and transparent gaming sector,” he said.

The meeting also featured Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, who commended the NLGRB for its contribution to national revenue and its success in strengthening the formal gaming economy. He urged the regulator to continue deepening its partnerships with key government institutions such as the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Bank of Uganda, Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), and NITA-U.

According to the Minister, cross-agency collaboration is crucial to improve real-time monitoring of the sector and prevent illegal gaming operations. He added that such coordination would help align Uganda’s gaming governance with best practices across Africa.

The NLGRB’s call comes amid the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize its regulatory systems, promote responsible gaming, and ensure that gambling remains a safe and well-supervised source of economic growth.