National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board
- Founded
- 2016-01-01 in Kampala, Uganda
- Headquarters
- Kampala, Uganda
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) is the statutory authority responsible for the licensing, regulation, and supervision of all lotteries, gaming, and betting activities in Uganda. Established under the Lotteries and Gaming Act, 2016 (now Cap. 334) and headquartered in Kampala, the NLGRB operates as a corporate body under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Its core mandate is to create a fair, transparent, and socially responsible gaming environment that protects the public from gambling-related harm while ensuring the sector contributes to national development. The Board oversees a broad range of regulated activities including sports betting, casino gaming, lotteries, and pool betting. It issues operator licenses, enforces compliance with the Act and regulations, and promotes responsible gaming through initiatives such as a self‑exclusion program and a toll‑free helpline (0800 285 800). The NLGRB is led by Chief Executive Officer Denis Mudene Ngabirano (appointed September 2023) and a newly constituted board chaired by Kenneth Kitariko (as of December 2025). With a lean team of 11–50 employees, the agency has increasingly adopted digital regulatory systems to improve efficiency and transparency. Recent industry reports indicate that the NLGRB collected Shs 176.7 billion in gaming sector revenue during the first half of the 2025/2026 financial year, reflecting the sector’s growth under its oversight.
Detailed Review
History & Legal Foundation
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board was established by the Lotteries and Gaming Act, No. 7 of 2016, which consolidated and modernised Uganda’s gambling laws. The Act replaced earlier legislation and created a single, independent regulator for all forms of gambling. The NLGRB began operations shortly after the law came into force, with its headquarters in Kampala. Prior to the Act, gambling regulation was fragmented across multiple agencies, leading to inconsistencies and enforcement gaps. The Act gave the Board powers to license, inspect, and sanction operators, as well as to set technical standards for gambling equipment and systems. In 2022, the Act was consolidated into Chapter 334 of the Laws of Uganda, reaffirming the NLGRB’s statutory role. The Board is answerable to Parliament through the Minister of Finance.
Mandate & Functions
The NLGRB’s primary responsibilities include licensing all forms of gambling and suppliers, setting operational standards and monitoring compliance, overseeing game integrity, implementing responsible gaming measures, collecting government revenue from the sector, and advising the Minister on gaming policy and emerging issues such as online gambling and cryptocurrency betting.
Organisational Structure
The Board is composed of a governing board (non‑executive) and an executive management team led by the Chief Executive Officer. The current board, appointed in late 2025, is chaired by Kenneth Kitariko. Other board members include representatives from law enforcement, sports, finance, and civil society. The executive management includes senior managers for Finance & Administration, Legal Services & Corporate Affairs, Licensing & Responsible Gaming, Regulatory Compliance, Information Technology, and Human Resources. No additional C‑suite roles (e.g., CTO, CFO, COO) are publicly identified; the CEO serves as the highest executive officer.
Key Products & Services
As a regulator, the NLGRB does not offer commercial gaming products. Its key services include a licensing framework for operators and suppliers, regulatory compliance monitoring through on‑site inspections and remote monitoring, a self‑exclusion program allowing individuals to ban themselves from gambling premises and platforms, a toll‑free helpline for problem gambling support, responsible gaming campaigns and partnerships, and a digital regulation platform for licence management and compliance tracking.
Recent Developments (2024–2025)
In December 2025, the Ministry of Finance appointed a new board chaired by Kenneth Kitariko, a capital markets expert. The NLGRB collected Shs 176.7 billion in the first half of the 2025/2026 financial year, surpassing targets and reflecting increased formalisation and enforcement. The agency has rolled out a digital regulatory platform that streamlines licensing, payments, and compliance reporting; the Uganda Registration Services Bureau recently benchmarked its own systems against this platform. In October 2025, the Board signed a memorandum of understanding with the Online Media Publishers Association of Uganda to amplify responsible gaming messaging and promote the self‑exclusion tool.
Challenges & Criticism
Like many African gaming regulators, the NLGRB faces challenges including illegal gambling from unlicensed operators, limited resources with only 11–50 staff, and the ongoing need to balance government revenue from the sector against public health and social harms.
Key Products
Uganda National Lottery
The national lottery operated under concession by ITHUBA Uganda Limited, regulated by the NLGRB. Offers draw‑based games and scratch cards.
Licensing Framework
Comprehensive licensing regime for land‑based and online gambling operators, including casinos, sports betting shops, and lottery providers.
Responsible Gaming Programme
Includes a self‑exclusion system, a toll‑free helpline (0800 285 800), public awareness campaigns, and mandatory player protection measures for operators.
Compliance Monitoring System
On‑site and remote audits of licensed premises; testing and certification of gaming equipment in partnership with GLI.
Enforcement Unit
Joint Illegal Gaming Investigation Team (JIGIT) – a dedicated unit working with police to suppress illegal gambling.
Online Regulatory Portal
Digital platform for licence applications, renewals, and reporting – currently being upgraded.
Self-Exclusion Programme
A voluntary scheme enabling individuals to exclude themselves from all licensed gaming venues and online platforms operated by licensed entities.
Responsible Gaming Directives (2025)
Updated regulatory requirements covering advertising standards, player protection measures, age verification, and mandatory spending limits.
Illegal Gaming Enforcement Programme
Multi-agency enforcement initiative to identify, seize, and destroy illegal gaming machines and prosecute unlicensed operators.
Regulatory Compliance Monitoring
On‑site inspections, remote monitoring of gaming systems, financial audits, and penalties for non‑compliance.
Self‑Exclusion Program
A voluntary scheme allowing individuals to ban themselves from all regulated gambling premises and online platforms; downloadable form available on the official website.
Toll‑Free Helpline
A 24/7 confidential support line (0800 285 800) for problem gambling, information, and complaints.
Responsible Gaming Campaigns
Public awareness initiatives, partnerships with media and educational institutions, and mandatory operator training.
Digital Regulation Systems
IT‑based tools for licence management, compliance tracking, and data reporting; being benchmarked by other Ugandan agencies (e.g., URSB).
Offices & Headcount
30 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
Denis NgabiranoChief Executive Officer
Adrine OtungaLegal Manager