Uganda’s board clarifies age brackets for gaming activities
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board of Uganda has recently discussed the legal age limits associated with various gambling products. Addressing journalists, the CEO of the NLGRB, Denis Mudene, quoted the law verbatim:
“The law talks about 25 and above when it comes to sports betting, casinos, and bingo. However, it also talks about 18 years and above for the National Lottery. So, clarification here should be made for people to understand that among all the licences we issue, there is a licence that is issued by the minister, which is called the National Lottery licence.”
National Lottery licence stands apart
Under the Lotteries and Gaming Act, most permits for sports betting, bingo halls, and casino tables flow directly from Uganda’s board. The National Lottery licence, however, belongs to a separate category. By statute, the Minister of Finance issues this authorisation with the explicit objective of raising funds for good causes ranging from health campaigns to educational bursaries. Because the lottery serves a public interest mandate, lawmakers set its legal entry point lower than other gaming forms. Consequently, ticket buyers only need to prove they are “18 and above participants as per the law,” while anyone entering a betting shop, casino floor, or bingo parlour must be 25 and above.
Ithuba Uganda now runs the draw
“Last year, the minister issued the lottery licence to a company called Ithuba Uganda, which is now conducting the national lottery on his behalf,” the spokesperson reminded the audience. Ithuba Uganda began rolling out point-of-sale terminals, pledging modern draws, televised results, and digital platforms compatible with mobile money. The NLGRB inspectors have since audited its random-number generators, verified prize funds, and monitored retailer training to ensure compliance with responsible-play standards.
Safeguards rooted in the Act
Besides age thresholds, the Lotteries and Gaming Act mandates prominent display of helpline contacts, weekly contribution reports to the Treasury, and compulsory remittance of unclaimed prizes to the Consolidated Fund. The board warned that Ugandan retailers who ignore these obligations face licence suspension and possible prosecution. Officials also urged parents and school administrators to guide teenagers away from illegal scratch cards, which are often peddled near campuses.
A piece of advice from the NLGRB
With enforcement squads shutting down unlicensed kiosks in Wakiso and Gulu, NLGRB encouraged citizens to verify the credentials of operators before staking money. Denis Mudene concluded that clearly understanding the distinct provisions for “25 and above” and “18 years and above” protects consumers and preserves the integrity of charity-funded National Lottery projects.
