Gaming Ethics in Uganda: NLGRB Urges Responsibility within the Betting Sector

The National Gaming Board (NLGRB), established under the Gaming Act in 2023, is taking steps to regulate the betting and gaming sector in Uganda and promote responsible gaming. The board has partnered with various organisations to run outreach campaigns in schools, markets, and villages, aiming to raise awareness about responsible gaming and address social harm associated with addiction.

In a bid to ensure safety for individuals and communities, Denis Mudenyo Ngabirano, CEO of the NLGRB, emphasised that responsible gaming is a set of social initiatives focused on ensuring safety. In line with this, the NLGRB has developed a self-check quiz to help players recognise risky gambling behaviour. If a player answers yes to five or more questions on the quiz, they may have a gambling problem.

With more than 90% of gaming in Uganda now happening online, the NLGRB encourages the public to check its website (lgrb.go.ug) for a list of licensed gaming companies to avoid unlicensed operators. The board also requires licensed operators to provide "responsible gaming tools" such as deposit and loss limits, time limits, and self-exclusion options.

Ngabirano advised first-time gamers to treat betting as entertainment, not a way to make money, and to set clear limits on time and money. He reminded Ugandans that responsible gaming is about keeping gambling within safe boundaries, not banning it altogether. The NLGRB's initiatives also include community sensitization programs that address the social harm associated with addiction, including domestic violence.

The NLGRB's efforts have yielded positive results, with the National Central Electronic Monitoring System resulting in about 2,000 Ugandans voluntarily self-excluding from gambling. The board has also confiscated and destroyed over 6,000 unlicensed gaming machines.

For inquiries about licensed gaming companies, the NLGRB's toll-free number is 0800 285800. The Ugandan law sets the minimum age for betting at 25. The NLGRB, established under the Lotteries and Gaming Act, CAP 334, has a mandate to regulate the gaming industry and protect the public.

In conclusion, the NLGRB's initiatives are geared towards promoting responsible gaming, ensuring safety for individuals and communities, and addressing the social harm associated with addiction. The board encourages the public to choose licensed gaming operators for safety and to treat betting or gambling as entertainment.