Govt launches five-year strategy to strengthen gaming sector regulation, boost revenue
Uganda's gaming sector continues to register strong growth under the NLGRB's regulatory framework.
Finance minister Henry Musasizi (2ndL) launches the news NLGRB strategic plan while NLGRB officials, including board chairman Kenneth Robert Kitariko and CEO Denis Mudene Ngabirano, look on at the finance ministry head office in Kampala on July 20, 2026. (Courtesy photo)
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GAMING IN UGANDA
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has launched its Strategic Plan for FY2025/26–FY2029/30, setting out an ambitious roadmap to strengthen regulation, curb illegal gaming, enhance responsible gaming and increase the sector's contribution to Uganda's domestic revenue over the next five years.
The Board also unveiled its Service Delivery Standards and Client Charter, which together establish clear service commitments, strengthen accountability and improve the experience of licensed operators and the public.
Launching the strategy on Monday at the finance ministry head office in Kampala, finance minister Henry Musasizi said the new framework aligns with Government's broader agenda on domestic revenue mobilisation, digital transformation and accountable public service delivery.
"The Strategic Plan, Client Charter and Service Delivery Standards represent more than policy documents. They represent a commitment to accountability, innovation, responsible gaming and national development," he said.
"They provide a clear framework for enhancing revenue mobilisation, strengthening regulation, protecting consumers and improving service delivery over the next five years."
NLGRB chief executive officer Denis Mudene Ngabirano said the new strategy marks the beginning of the Board's next phase as a modern, technology-driven regulator, with a strong focus on eliminating illegal gaming while strengthening public confidence in the sector.
"Illegal gaming undermines legitimate businesses, deprives Government of revenue and exposes vulnerable Ugandans to unnecessary risk. This Strategic Plan marks the beginning of the next phase in the Board's evolution as a modern, technology-driven regulator.
"Over the next five years, we will strengthen enforcement against illegal gaming, expand digital oversight, promote responsible gaming and improve service delivery," said Ngabirano.
The Strategic Plan aligns with Uganda Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and Government's Ten-Fold Growth Strategy.
It is anchored on four strategic priorities:
▪️increasing tax and non-tax revenue from the gaming sector
▪️promoting responsible gaming
▪️driving operational excellence through technology and innovation
▪️strengthening institutional governance
Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi challenged the NLGRB to ensure the strategy delivers measurable results, noting that effective implementation would be key to improving regulation and investor confidence.
On his part, board chairman Kenneth Robert Kitariko said the strategy builds on reforms introduced over the past year to strengthen compliance, expand nationwide oversight and deploy technology to improve transparency, accountability and revenue assurance.
"We reaffirm the Board's readiness to work closely with the Ministry to advance sound governance, fiscal accountability, effective regulation and public protection in the lotteries and gaming sector. We look forward to your guidance and support as we strengthen the sector's contribution to Uganda's development agenda," he said.
Over the past year, the NLGRB has intensified enforcement against illegal gaming, strengthened age verification measures, expanded responsible gaming programmes and increased collaboration with the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Revenue Authority, Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) and local governments to close compliance gaps and protect consumers.
During the 2025/26 financial year alone, 4,400 illegal gaming machines were confiscated, while compliance improved from 68 per cent to 79 per cent.
Technology is expected to play an even greater role in implementing the new strategy.
Through the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS), the board has enhanced visibility over gaming transactions, strengthened tax reconciliation and improved oversight of suspicious activity, while digital self-exclusion tools have enabled more than 16,600 players to voluntarily restrict their participation in gaming.
In June 2026, the board also attained ISO/IEC 27001 certification, the internationally recognised standard for Information Security Management Systems. The certification strengthens cybersecurity governance, enhances the protection of operator and player data, and reinforces confidence in the board's digital regulatory systems as oversight of the gaming industry increasingly shifts online.
Uganda's gaming sector continues to register strong growth under the Board's regulatory framework.
Government revenue increased from sh194 billion in FY2023/24 to sh323 billion in FY2024/25, before reaching sh368.02 billion in FY2025/26.
Revenue is projected to rise to sh450 billion in FY2026/27, supported by stronger compliance, digital monitoring and continued formalisation of the industry.