Uganda has set the highest legal gambling age in Africa at 25 years old, following the parliamentary review of the Lotteries and Gaming (Amendment) Bill in 2018.
Despite proposals to lower the minimum age to 18, legislators maintained the 25-year-old limit with the support of the Finance Committee to protect young people from gambling risks.
Highest Age Limit in Africa
This age limit is particularly prominent in Africa, where most countries (including Angola, South Africa, and Ghana) have a gambling age of 18. Other countries like Egypt and Namibia have set the gambling age at 21, while Algeria and Ethiopia completely prohibit gambling.
However, a study indicated that Uganda struggles to enforce its gambling laws due to a weak regulatory framework and the National Gaming Board (NGB)'s lack of capacity to oversee all gambling activities.
Protecting Players
According to The Independent, over 71% of Ugandans have gambled at least once. A 2023 study conducted among secondary school students in Mbale city showed that 40% of the students had gambled, with over 17% identified as problem gamblers—if only considering those who had gambled, this number rises to 44%.
The report emphasizes that the incidence of gambling problems among adolescents is two to four times higher than in adults. The prevalence of gambling issues among Ugandan secondary students is significantly higher than in many other countries.
Uganda's Gambling Regulations
Uganda's gaming industry operates under the Lotteries and Gaming Act of 2016, overseen by the Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (LGRB), which is responsible for issuing various forms of gaming licenses.
Although the legislation does not specifically target online gaming, operators must hold a local license. The casino industry is strictly regulated, with licenses issued annually and different fees charged to local and foreign operators.
Gaming is similarly controlled, with licenses for general gaming, pool betting, and betting intermediaries.
National Lottery
The Ugandan lottery market is dominated by ITHUBA Uganda, which holds a ten-year national lottery license. Under the same regulatory framework, public lotteries are also permitted to be issued. Strict licensing fees and renewal processes ensure that the industry operates within clear legal boundaries.
ITHUBA Uganda was established in August last year and is a subsidiary of the South African national lottery operator. However, some legislators are concerned about a private company managing the national lottery, fearing that standards may not be high enough, potentially harming the public, especially in terms of gambling issues.
Experts call for stricter regulations to limit gambling opportunities and protect vulnerable groups, including minors. The government has committed to using lottery funds for key areas such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
