Uganda has joined other African countries in the inaugural Africa Safer Gambling Week, a continental campaign aimed at strengthening player protection and promoting responsible gaming across the continent.
The initiative, running from September 7 to 11, has brought together gaming regulators, industry associations, operators, safer-gambling organisations and other stakeholders to raise awareness about responsible gaming, encourage informed decision-making and improve access to support for people experiencing gambling-related harm.
The week is being convened by the African iGaming Alliance (AiA) in collaboration with regulators and with support from national industry associations, operators and safer-gambling organisations across Africa.
Uganda’s participation comes as the country’s gaming industry becomes increasingly digital, with an estimated 93% of gaming activity now taking place online, according to the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB).
Denis Mudene Ngabirano, Chief Executive Officer of the NLGRB, said the industry’s digital transformation requires regulators and operators to strengthen measures aimed at protecting players.
“As regulators, our role goes beyond licensing operators and enforcing compliance. As gaming becomes easier to access, player protection must become stronger. Africa Safer Gambling Week gives us an opportunity to join our counterparts across the continent in putting the wellbeing of the player at the centre of the conversation about the future of gaming,” Ngabirano said.
Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe, CEO of the African iGaming Alliance, said the initiative was intended to turn cooperation among African stakeholders into practical measures for protecting players.
“Player protection is bigger than any one regulator, operator or jurisdiction. Through Africa Safer Gambling Week, we are bringing African stakeholders together around a shared responsibility to help people make informed choices, understand safer gambling and know where to access support when they need it,” Kesitilwe said.
He said the alliance hopes the initiative will develop into a recurring continental campaign.
“Our ambition is for this to grow into an annual continental movement that translates collaboration into practical action. We want safer gambling to become an ongoing conversation across Africa, supported by practical interventions that make a difference to players and communities,” he said.
Uganda’s participation builds on responsible-gaming measures already being implemented by the NLGRB in areas including prevention, player protection and support for people affected by gambling-related harm.
The regulator said its awareness programmes have reached 33,593 students and 1,600 teachers across the country, with a particular focus on preventing underage gaming and helping young people understand the risks associated with gambling.
The Board is also calling on parents, guardians, schools and community leaders to play a greater role in preventing children from being exposed to underage gambling.
Technology is another component of the country’s player-protection efforts. Through the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS) and operator-linked systems, players can access tools such as self-exclusion, which allows individuals who are concerned about their gambling behaviour to voluntarily restrict their participation.
More than 16,700 players have reportedly used self-exclusion mechanisms through operator systems.
The launch of Africa Safer Gambling Week in Uganda also brought together gaming operators and mental health professionals, underscoring the need for cooperation between regulators, industry and health practitioners.
Allan Tumushabe, Managing Director of Chop Gaming, trading as BetPawa Uganda, said operators were implementing measures such as Know Your Customer (KYC) and age-verification procedures to prevent minors from accessing gaming services.
“Age verification and KYC are important safeguards because operators need to establish who is using their platforms and ensure that minors are not allowed to participate. We also provide self-exclusion options for customers who feel they need to take a break or step away from gaming,” Tumushabe said.
The NLGRB has also expanded support for people experiencing gambling-related harm through its call centre, counselling and referral programme, alongside partnerships with mental health professionals.
Since February 2025, the Board’s call centre has received 2,388 calls, including 320 calls related to responsible gaming, according to the regulator.
Janet Kantalama, Executive Director of Safe Places, said gambling-related harm should be treated as a public health concern, particularly given the potential impact on young people.
She highlighted the organisation’s work with the NLGRB to promote prevention and provide support to school-going youth.
“Gambling-related harm is a public health issue, and young people are particularly important in prevention efforts. The message we want people to know is that help is available. There is free and confidential counselling for people who are struggling and need professional support,” Kantalama said.
Through the partnership, Safe Places provides professional counselling and treatment to people experiencing gambling-related harm, with treatment costs covered by the NLGRB.
Ngabirano said the regulator’s collaboration with health professionals reflects the need for a broader approach to responsible gaming.
“Responsible gaming is not simply about telling someone to stop gambling. Where gaming begins to affect a person’s finances, relationships or mental wellbeing, they may need professional support. This is why our partnerships with health professionals and other stakeholders are an important part of our approach,” he said.
As part of Africa Safer Gambling Week, the NLGRB will take responsible-gaming awareness activities into communities, targeting groups including boda boda riders, students, market communities and taxi operators.
The campaigns will focus on practical safer-gambling behaviours, financial literacy, informed decision-making, recognising early signs of gambling-related harm and knowing where to seek assistance.
The regulator said community engagement is important because the growth of digital gaming has made gambling increasingly accessible through mobile phones and online platforms.
Uganda currently has 63 licensed gaming operators, while the sector contributed approximately Shs355.4 billion in government revenue during the 2025/26 financial year and supports more than 24,000 jobs nationwide, according to the NLGRB.
The regulator said continued growth of the gaming industry must be accompanied by effective regulation and consumer protection.
The launch of Africa Safer Gambling Week therefore marks an effort by Uganda and its continental partners to place responsible gaming and player wellbeing alongside the industry’s economic contribution.
