The National Gaming Board Uganda (NGBU) is a body corporate established under the Lotteries and Gaming Act No. 7 of 2016 which came into effect on 8th April 2016.
The Act is supported by a set of 5 Regulations which came into effect on 27th May 2016. The law mandates the Board to licence and regulate the operations of lotteries, casinos and betting houses (Industry).
Mandate
Licensing
The National Gaming Board Uganda under section 4 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, 2016 is mandated to issue licenses for Lotteries, Casinos, Gaming and Betting in Uganda. The mandate includes Licensing, Supervision, Enforcement and dispute resolution.
The Board has powers to conduct an investigation, examination, inspection and issue guidelines, directives or instructions for the proper management of the industry.
Licensing Process
Section 41 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, 2016 gives the Board mandate to award the license. An application for a license under the law shall be made to the Board and the application shall be in the prescribed form and shall;
- Specify the activity for which a license is required and the type of license;
- Where the applicant is an individual, state the age of the applicant;
- Where the applicant is a company, the age of the shareholders;
- Specify the address of the applicant;
- Be accompanied by the prescribed fee; and
- Be accompanied by the prescribed information or documents.
Section 42 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act states that Processing of application by the Board shall examine the application and;
- Shall take into account the suitability of the applicant to carry on the activities for which the license is required;
- May Consider the suitability of any gaming and betting machine proposed to be used in connection with the activities for which the license is required; or
- May consider the suitability of any other equipment proposed to be used in connection with the activities for which the license is required.
In determining the suitability, the board takes into account the following
- The integrity of the applicant or of a person relevant to the application;
- The competence of the applicant or of a person relevant to the application to carry on the licensed activities in a manner consistent with this Act;
- The financial and other circumstances of the applicant or of a person relevant to the application, including, the resources likely to be available for the purpose of carrying on the licensed activities.
After investigating and inquiring into the matters stated in the application, the Board shall within twenty-one days after receiving an application
- Approve the application and issue a license;
- Reject the application; or
- Approve the application and issue a license in respect of one or more of the activities specified in the application and reject it in respect of the others.
Where the Board rejects an application in whole or in part, the Board shall within fourteen days notify the applicant of the rejection, and specify the reasons. A person aggrieved by the decision of the Board shall appeal to the Minister. The chairperson of the Board shall sign the license where the Board recommends that a license may be issued. The Board shall gazette licenses issued and applications rejected.
Licensing requirements
- Proof of incorporation
- Investment certificate for Foreign applicants
- Recent Annual forms of returns of a company with share capital
- Proof of physical location
- Most Audited books of accounts
- Bank account Details
- CSR
- Security Guarantee
- License Fees
- Application License fees for new applicants
- Business Plan
- Rules and Descriptions of games and Equipment
- Details of company shareholders, directors and key employees
- Memorandum and articles of association
Inspection
The Board is Mandated to Inspect Operators, their operation premises and their activities, as well as monitor the impact of these activities on society.
Enforcement
Enforcement is carried out against;
- Illegal Operators
- None Compliant Licensees
- Any breach of the Law
Enforcement action;
- Prosecution
- Closure
- Confiscation
- Caution
The Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board has got a fully-fledged enforcement division headed by a manager, supervisors and officers.
Dispute Resolution
Section 4 states that the Board shall receive, investigate and arbitrate, or take appropriate action in case of complaints relating to lotteries, gaming, betting and casinos;
An aggrieved party would need to lodge a formal complaint with the Board at its offices detailing the following;
- The nature of the Complaint
- The party complained against
- Evidence of claim
Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board
LGRB’s mandate is to Licence, Inspect, Enforce and resolve disputes across the gaming industry in Uganda.
Laws and Regulations
- Lotteries And Gaming Act 2016
- Lotteries And Gaming (Minimum Capital Requirements Regulations 2017)
- The Lotteries And Gaming (Licencing) Regulations 2017
- The Lotteries And Gaming (Fees) Regulations 2017
- The Lotteries And Gaming (Gaming And Betting Machines) Regulations 2017
- The Lotteries And Gaming (Betting) Regulations 2017
Licensing Renewal Requirements for 2021
LICENSED COMPANIES
Application Forms
- Application For A Licence To Establish Or Operate A Casino Application For A Licence To Establish Or Operate A Casino
- Application For Betting Intermediary Operating Licence
- Application For Betting Licence
- Application For Licence To Conduct National Lottery
- Application For Licence To Conduct Public Lottery
- Application Pool Betting Operating Licence Or Bingo Operating Licence
- Application To Licence A Person Employed In A Casino Or Gaming Facility
- Application To Manufacture, Supply Or Install Gaming Or Betting Machines
- Branch Licensing Form
ENFORCEMENT DIRECTIVES AND GUIDELINES
Status of the gaming industry in Uganda
Status of the gaming industry in Uganda
FAQs
What is the law governing the lotteries and gaming sector?
The sector is primarily regulated under the Lotteries and Gaming Act 2016 and subsidiary regulations issued under the Act plus guidelines issued from time to time by the Board. Current regulations are:-
- The Lotteries and Gaming (Fees) Regulations S.I No. 6 of 2017
- The Lotteries and Gaming (Licensing) Regulations S.I No. 7 of 2017
- The Lotteries and Gaming (Minimum Capital Requirements) Regulations S.I No.8 of 2017.
- The Lotteries and Gaming (Betting) Regulations S.I No.9 of 2017
- The Lotteries and Gaming (Gaming and Betting Machines) Regulations S.I No 10 of 2017.
What are the categories of licenses issued in Uganda?
The Lotteries and Gaming Act prescribes the following licenses to be issued under the act.
- License to conduct a National Lottery
- License to conduct a Public Lottery
- License to operate a casino or a casino operating license.
- License to provide facilities for playing bingo, or a bingo operating license.
- License to provide facilities for betting other than pool betting, or a general betting operating license.
- License to provide facilities for pool betting, or a pool betting operating license.
- License to act as a betting intermediary or a betting intermediary operating license.
- License to make gaming or betting machines available for use in a gaming or betting center or a gaming or betting machine general operating license.
- License to manufacture, supply, install, adapt, maintain or repair a gaming or betting machine, or a part of a gaming or betting machine or a gaming or betting machine technical operating license; or
- License to manufacture, supply, install or adapt gambling software or a gambling software operating license.
What is the license application and award procedure?
Section 41 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act gives the Board mandate to review application and award license. An application for a license under the law shall be made to the Board and the application shall be in the prescribed form and shall;
- Specify the activity for which a license is required and the type of license;
- Where the applicant is an individual, state the age of the applicant;
- Where the applicant is a company, the age of the shareholders;
- Specify the address of the applicant;
- Be accompanied by the prescribed fee; and
- Be accompanied by the prescribed information or documents.
Section 42 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act states that Processing of application by the Board shall examine the application and;
- Shall take into account the suitability of the applicant to carry on the activities for which the license is required;
- May Consider the suitability of any gaming and betting machine proposed to be used in connection with the activities for which the license is required; or
- May consider the suitability of any other equipment proposed to be used in connection with the activities for which the license is required.
In determining the suitability, the board takes into account the following
- The integrity of the applicant or of a person relevant to the application;
- The competence of the applicant or of a person relevant to the application to carry on the licensed activities in a manner consistent with this Act;
- The financial and other circumstances of the applicant or of a person relevant to the application, including, the resources likely to be available for the purpose of carrying on the licensed activities.
After investigating and inquiring into the matters stated in the application, the Board shall within twenty-one days after receiving an application
- Approve the application and issue a license;
- Reject the application; or
- Approve the application and issue a license in respect of one or more of the activities specified in the application and reject it in respect of the others.
Where the Board rejects an application in whole or in part, the Board shall within fourteen days notify the applicant of the rejection, and specify the reasons. A person aggrieved by the decision of the Board shall appeal to the Minister. The chairperson of the Board shall sign the license where the Board recommends that a license may be issued. The Board shall gazette licenses issued and applications rejected.
What are the license fees applicable?
In line with The Lotteries and Gaming (Fees) Regulations S.I No. 6 of 2017 the fees applicable are:-
| Type of licence, registration or other matters under the Act or Regulations | Fees payable in Uganda Shillings | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee to conduct a national Lottery (a) foreigners (b) nationals |
50,000,000/=, 20,000,000/= | |
| Licence fee to conduct a national lottery | 100,000,000/= | |
| Application fee to conduct a public lottery (a) foreigners (b) nationals |
20,000,000/=, 10,000,000/= | |
| Licence fee to conduct public lottery | 10,000,000/= | |
| Application fee to operate a casino, or a casino operating licence; (a) foreigners (b) nationals |
50,000,000/=, 20,000,000/= | |
| Licence fee to operate a casino, or a casino operating licence | 15,000,000/= | |
| Application fee for a licene to provide facilities for pool betting, or a pool betting operating licence; (a) foreigners (b) nationals |
20,000,000/=, 10,000,000/= | |
| A pool betting, or a pool betting operating licence. | 10,000,000/= | |
| Application fee for a licence to provide facilities for playing bingo, or a bingo operating licence; (a) foreigners (b) nationals |
20,000,000/=, 10,000,000= | |
| Licence to provide facilities for playing bingo, or a bingo operating licence | 10,000,000/= | |
| Application fee for a licence to provide facilities for betting, or a general betting operating licence; (a) foreigners (b) nationals |
20,000,000/=, 10,000,000/= | |
| Licence fee to provide facilities for betting, or a general betting operating licence | 10,000,000/= | |
| Application for a licence to act as abetting intermediary, or a betting intermediary operating licence; (a) foreigners (b) nationals |
20,000,000/=, 10,000,000/= | |
| Licence to act as betting intermediary, or a betting intermediary operating licence. | 10,000,000/= | |
| Licence fee to make gaming machines available for use in a gaming centre or a gaming machine general operating licence or gambling software operating licence. (a) foreigners (b) nationals |
20,000,000/=, 10,000,000/= | |
| Application for renewal of licence where the previous licence has not expired in accordance with section 47 of the Act. | Nil | |
| An application for a special employee licence | 50,000/= | |
| Registration of gaming or betting machine or device | 50,000/= per machine or device | |
| Transfer of registered ownership of gaming or betting machine or device | 50,000/= | |
| Approval to lease or transfer possession of a gaming or betting machine | 50,000/= | |
| Inspection and approval fee for establishing a branch of a casino or any other gaming or betting facility | 1,000,000/= |
What do I do if I have a complaint against a licensee?
Section 4 states that the Board shall receive investigate and arbitrate complaints relating to lotteries, gaming, betting and casinos and take appropriate action; one would need to lodge a formal complaint with the board which is then dealt with in accordance with the law, regulations and guidelines.
What is the rate of gaming tax payable?
The current tax rate (Gaming Tax) is 35% of the gross gaming revenue (house winnings less payouts). Returns and payment of tax are made to the Uganda Revenue Authority.
Address
P.O.Box 5446, Kampala-Uganda,
4th floor, Communications House,
Plot 1 colville street,
Contacts
Tel: +256 414231628
Tel: +256 414231638
Tel: +256 414231648
Email: [email protected]