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Uganda introduces stricter rules on betting

Thursday May 11 2017

The Ugandan government has moved to manage the effects of the lotteries and gaming industry on the youth by imposing stringent measures while trying to tap the easy revenues the industry is spawning.

The regulator announced a slew of regulations, among them the use of a national identity card to enter a gaming house.

The government has raised taxes on the industry and recently proposed to tax winnings.

The Uganda Revenue Authority collected Ush35 billion ($9.6 million) from gaming in the past financial year. Local governments see slot machines and sports betting kiosks as a source of revenue.

Edgar Agaba, executive director of the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board, told journalists in Kampala on Thursday that the industry’s shift online has presented a regulation challenge.

“Trying to stop gaming is a waste of time,” Mr Agaba said, adding that the government will push gaming firms to promote corporate social responsibility programmes.

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Necessary evil

He described as a necessary evil the 35 per cent tax and the employment of at least 5,000 people in nine gaming companies.

About 400 online gaming companies are accessible to Ugandan punters. There is concern that gambling could be used to launder money.

“We are going to work with the Financial Intelligence Authority to see how to track this,” Mr Agaba said.

The regulations set a minimum age of 25 years for anyone going into gambling premises and the government wants this strictly enforced.

“Any operator of those gaming sites, both online and land-based, risks having their licences revoked or suspended if found permitting under-25s to gamble. Culprits face up to two years in jail or a fine of Ush1 million ($285.7),” he said.

About 70 per cent Uganda’s population below 30 years are involved in betting activities.

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