By: Kayiira Jackson
In their pursuit to regulate gaming and betting in the country, National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) and Uganda Sports Press Association held a successful engagement on Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.
The two who had entered a partnership one week earlier so the knowledge transfer session attract a number of names included Uganda Parliament shadow minister of sports Geoffrey Kayemba Solo, USPA president Moses Al Sayed Lubega and NLGRB CEO Denis Ngabirano.
“We wanted to engage USPA given that they have a platform and knowledge of what happens in the sector today and an engagement filled with fruitful presentations about what not forgetting the Q&A which helped us realize more that we add or change” he said
One of the questions that arose was the time at which these Betting adverts on different platforms should be running with NLGRB officials stating it should be 11 pm ( at night) on wards when the Children are sleeping or day when at school.
Arising a lot of scenario questions like if it were holidays among others which will be looked into by the different individuals.
“We as NLGRB look forward to holding more engagements like this one with now our Life Long Partner USPA” Ngabirano added and concluded
Hon. Geofrey Kayemba Solo, he was so thankful to National Lotteries Gaming Regulatory Board for the engagement;
“I want to thank National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board(NLGRB) for bringing this engagement with the sports journalists because these are the people who talk to the public who at one time can gain or is affected” Hon. Geoffrey Kayemba Solo said
“If these people don’t have enough information then it means the public who conceive it will do a lot of wrong but because of this we believe the public will be in safe hands doing this as leisure not as an action that will get you something to eat” He concluded
The USPA President Moses Alsayed Lubega who had a good presentation of what the Association he leads is all about was joyed by the engagement;
“The Lottery is identified as a National stakeholder and an asset in civic engagement” he started
“We going to amplify this in many ways, the first being going to communities, study their behaviors, enhancing their messages, holding clinics, visiting centers of rehabilitation, trying to access areas and data and equate it to the Public” he added
Moses Alsayed Lubega during his presentation.
Continuing that; “This is not just a symbolic gesture, but an act of good will from us – we feel that we have the power to project this message, try and narrow down the dangers and visit the areas of engagement too to reflect on ourselves and how are going to try to parade our message”
“We see ourselves as an a National agenda setting institution, one that looks strongly into National identic causes, identifies its self with the vulnerable, identifies its self with those that need to be accessed in terms of care, mentle health in order to create health balance between us and the public, all this through data collection.” He concluded
What does the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board do in Uganda?
Regulates and supervises the establishment, management and operation of lotteries, gaming, betting and casinos in Uganda;
Licenses casinos in Uganda;
Licenses persons operating in a casino and any other employee of a casino;
Approves devices or equipment for lotteries, gaming, betting and casinos;
Designates and license premises for lotteries, gaming, betting and casinos;
Collects lottery, gaming, betting, and the casino tax from both the owners and the gamblers;
Approves games that may be made available for casinos lotteries, gaming, betting and casinos;
Approves and set standards for the supply, installation or adaptation of gaming and betting software;
Participates and contribute to good causes in accordance with this Act;
Protects members of the public from adverse effects of gaming and betting including the promotion of transparency and accountability;
Implements Government policy relating to lotteries, gaming, bettin
Promotes public awareness.