Lottery tickets are legal to purchase in Uganda under the Lotteries and Gaming Act of 2016, which established comprehensive regulation for lotteries, gaming, betting, and casinos. The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) serves as the regulatory authority responsible for licensing, supervising, and regulating all lottery operations. The Board's objective is to supervise and regulate the establishment, management, and operation of lotteries while protecting citizens from adverse effects of gaming (1).
ITHUBA Uganda operates the National Lottery under a 10-year license granted by the government to generate public funds supporting social causes including education, health, sports development, and public infrastructure. The NLGRB under the Lotteries and Gaming Act is mandated to issue licenses for lotteries, casinos, gaming, and betting throughout Uganda. The minimum legal gambling age in Uganda is 25 years, higher than most countries, chosen to reduce gambling addiction among younger citizens (2).
"The objective of the Board is to supervise and regulate the establishment, management and operation of lotteries, gaming betting and casinos in Uganda, and to protect the citizens from the adverse effects of gaming and betting in Uganda."
Lottery operators pay a 15% tax based on Gross Gaming Revenue, while players' winnings are subject to a 15% withholding tax contributing to the national budget. The Board regulates both national lotteries and public lotteries, ensuring operators meet suitability requirements including financial stability, character verification, and ability to protect public interests. All lottery proceeds support national development projects across crucial sectors, transforming participants into stakeholders in the nation's future (1).
Source:
https://ulii.org/akn/ug/act/2016/7/eng@2016-04-08/source
https://lgrb.go.ug
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
