The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), in partnership with Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), has strengthened Uganda’s gaming industry through expert training and stakeholder engagement on Uganda’s Gaming Standards and the development of the Games Classification and Approval Framework.
The engagements brought together key stakeholders from across Uganda’s gaming regulatory ecosystem, including the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court, licensed gaming operators and NLGRB staff. At a time when gaming is becoming more technology-driven, the sessions created a common platform for regulators, standards bodies, revenue authorities, enforcement institutions and operators to strengthen their understanding of product standards, testing requirements, compliance obligations and responsible gaming practices.
As the statutory body mandated to regulate lotteries and gaming activities in Uganda, NLGRB’s role goes beyond licensing and enforcement. It requires strong standards, informed oversight, institutional collaboration and continuous capacity-building to ensure that gaming is conducted fairly, transparently and accountably.
A key focus of the engagements was the Games Classification and Approval Framework, which will establish a structured and transparent process for classifying, assessing and approving gaming products before they are introduced into the Ugandan market.
By setting clear standards and approval mechanisms, the Board seeks to ensure that only compliant, secure and fair gaming products are offered to the public. This will strengthen market integrity, enhance player protection, support responsible investment and build greater confidence in Uganda’s regulated gaming sector.
The engagements also reinforced the importance of coordinated regulation. UNBS contributed insights on standards development, quality assurance and conformity assessment, while URA provided perspectives on tax compliance and revenue assurance. The Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court shared enforcement and legal accountability perspectives, and licensed operators contributed practical industry experience to help ensure that proposed standards remain responsive to operational realities.
For NLGRB staff, the sessions strengthened technical capacity in gaming-machine evaluation, gaming-system analysis, interpretation of testing reports and evidence-based regulatory audits. These skills are essential for effective oversight and support the Board’s commitment to embracing ICT and innovation in regulation.
The training further reinforced the Board’s commitment to responsible gaming and player protection. By strengthening standards, monitoring systems and regulatory capacity, NLGRB seeks to protect players from gaming-related harm while ensuring that gaming remains a regulated form of entertainment.
The initiative directly supports the NLGRB Strategic Plan 2025/26–2029/30, particularly the objectives of strengthening regulation, promoting responsible gaming, embracing ICT and innovation, and enhancing institutional collaboration. It also aligns with the Board’s Client Charter and Service Delivery Standards, which commit the institution to transparent, professional, efficient and people-centered regulatory services.
As Uganda’s gaming industry continues to grow, NLGRB remains committed to building a regulatory framework that protects players, promotes compliance, supports legitimate investment, strengthens public confidence and maximises the sector’s contribution to national development.