Uganda shuts down 30 illegal sports betting centers

The 30 betting centres which were closed last week have been operating in areas of Entebbe, Kajjansi, Lweza Zzana and Namasumba. Other areas are Gayaza, Kisaasi, Kyanja, Mpererwe, Kalerwe and Kanyanya.

The betting centres include World Star, Acebet, SBA, Victory, Arua Casino LEV and Home Bet, among others.

Working with the Police, they impounded the machines and other items of illegal betting centres. The impounded machines were taken to the nearby Police stations. 

“The law is very clear. Only Ugandans above 25 years are supposed to enter the betting premises. When we visited these betting centres, we found people who are below the required age,” said Jonathan Kyeyune, the head of Public and Corporate Affairs, LGRB.

Kyeyune also explained others were operating in areas below the minimum size of 30 square meters, required by the law.

“And others were closed because they were operating near the schools, churches and Government offices,” he added.

In 2016, Parliament established LGRB as a corporate body to enforce the law, relating to the conduct of lotteries, gaming, betting and casinos.

 LGRB also licenses, regulates and taxes the betting industry. Among other things, the law aims at protecting the citizens from the adverse effects of gaming and betting in Uganda.

Some of the affected operators were seen storming the LGRB offices, pleading to be allowed to resume business. While other operators were seen submitting their licenses.

However, Kyeyune said it will be the board to decide whether to grant them licenses.

“The board will handle case by case and decide what to do. The betting operators with small issues, the board may allow them to reopen,” he said.