More sports betting centres closed in Kampala, Wakiso

Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (LGRB), the government betting regulatory body closed 30 illegal sports betting centres in areas of Kampala city and Wakiso district.

The number of closed premises has increased to 78. Last month, 48 centres were closed in the city suburbs and Mukono district.

The 30 betting centres which were closed last week have been operating in areas of Entebbe, Kajjansi, Lweza Zzana and Namasumba. Other areas are Gayaza, Kisaasi, Kyanja, Mpererwe, Kalerwe and Kanyanya.

 
The betting centres include World Star, Acebet, SBA, Victory, Arua Casino LEV and Home Bet, among others.

Justifying the closure of the premises, LGRB explained that some of them were unlicensed operators and others were allowing individual below 25 years to enter their premises.

 Working with the Police, they impounded the machines and other items of illegal betting centres. The impounded machines were taken to the nearby Police stations.

 
"The law is very clear. Only Ugandans above 25 years are supposed to enter the betting premises. When we visited these betting centres, we found people who are below the required age," said Jonathan Kyeyune, the head of Public and Corporate Affairs, LGRB.

Kyeyune also explained others were operating in areas below the minimum size of 30 square meters, required by the law.

"And others were closed because they were operating near the schools, churches and Government offices," he added.

In 2016, Parliament established LGRB as a corporate body to enforce the law, relating to the conduct of lotteries, gaming, betting and casinos.

 LGRB also licenses, regulates and taxes the betting industry. Among other things, the law aims at protecting the citizens from the adverse effects of gaming and betting in Uganda.

Operators' reaction

Some of the affected operators were seen storming the LGRB offices, pleading to be allowed to resume business. While other operators were seen submitting their licenses.

However, Kyeyune said it will be the board to decide whether to grant them licenses.

"The board will handle case by case and decide what to do. The betting operators with small issues, the board may allow them to reopen," he said.

Booming business

For over a decade now, many Ugandans are engaging in sports betting as a quick way of getting money.

This explains why in the city suburbs and upcountry towns, sport betting industry is growing very fast.

Figures from LGRB show that in Kampala city and its neighbouring districts of Mukono, Wakiso, there are over 600 betting centres.

 
In Uganda, the Barclays English Premier League is the most marketed betting league. The betting business is mostly done on weekends, when English clubs are playing.

Betting the English Premier League is fuelled by local radio stations.  This is because most sports programmes are sponsored by sports betting firms.

Blocking online betting sites

Plans are underway to block non -registered betting sites, both locals and foreign.

LRGB, the ministry of ICT and the Uganda Communications Commission, are drafting guidelines to regulate online betting.