Responsible Gaming Engagement With University Students

The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board earmarked universities in Central Uganda as key stakeholders in its Responsible Gaming Awareness Campaign.

This Responsible Gaming stakeholder engagement was performed in four learning institutions (Universities) in Kampala and Mukono district. The team received commitment, positive feedback, ideas/proposals from all these stakeholders.

The engagement enhanced the Board’s mandate and created public awareness on Responsible Gaming. For instance, prevention, identifying problem gamblers, counselling and treatment, protection of minors, Training, awareness creation, training, and research.

The Board’s image was promoted through presentations about the Gaming sector in Uganda. These key stakeholders were made aware of the functions of the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board, it’s main mandate of protecting the public from adverse effects of gaming and contribution to Uganda’s Revenue, Sports, Education, health and charity.

For instance, the CSR & Responsible Gaming Officer highlighted the fact that the Board through one of its functions as stipulated by the Law in Section 4(i) of the Lotteries and Gaming Act No.7 of 2016, participate, and contribute to good causes in accordance with the Act. Is mandated to give back to society through Cooperate Social Responsibility and the Board together with the Gaming operators support Sports, Health, Education and give back through Charity.

General Observations

1. Some Learning intuitions do not have counsellors or school leaders that address problem gambling issues.
2. All these universities have activities and school clubs that the Board can tap into to create more awareness about the gaming sector and Responsible Gaming. E.g debates, drama, Freshers’ week, sports galas

Challenges

1. Nkozi and Ndejje University had to postpone the stakeholder engagement meetings on Responsible Gaming because of administrative issues.
2. These learning institutions are willing to promote Responsible Gaming, however, will require facilitation for students and teachers that take part in the program because they are constrained in terms of supporting school activities. This is a challenge because the department does not have a budget line for this currently.

Recommendations

1. Gaming Operators should commit a sizable amount of their CSR efforts towards learning institutions that are involved in the Responsible Gaming initiatives. For instance, in scholarships and sports.
2. The Board should avail the Responsible Gaming field team with airtime to laisse with stakeholders on ground as well as data to update all social media platforms like the website, Twitter, Face Book and YouTube while in the field.
3. The IT department should incorporate digital counselling on the internal systems that are being developed to cater for problem gamblers that are not comfortable receiving physical counselling and treatment in hospitals.