State Minister of Finance for Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) David Bahati has called for operators in the Lotteries and Gaming industry to comply with regulations that govern the trade in Uganda. He made the remarks on Tuesday while officiating at the launch of the Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (LGRB) at Serena Hotel.
“I moved the bill in Parliament and came under a lot of pressure from my colleagues but the I told them we are faced with a choice. We either regulate the lotteries or allow them to operate underground and I’m glad that now we are open and operating under regulations”. Since the enactment of the Lotteries and Gaming Act 2016, Government has put in place a number of measures and one was to develop regulations and put in place a regulatory board. I am happy that on the board we have AIGP in charge Criminal investigations Grace Akullo,” the minister stated in his opening remarks. With Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board Chairman Manzi Tumubweine and Chief Executive Officer Edgar Agaba before him, Hon. Bahati also weighed in on the sticking issue for fair taxation in the industry.
“Someone was saying that why can’t we levy 35% on the operators and winnings also pay 35% and I said that is not how it works, if you want to eliminate this game by law then process another piece of legislation. But as long as you are regulating them give them breathing space to balance taxation and allow operators to operate,” he explained. Without explaining how some regulations would be implemented, the minister also asked operators to ensure that clients only use disposable income “I don’t know how you’ll implement this one but try as much as possible to encourage people to use disposable income. This is business but don’t be desperate to get money from everywhere”. He also revealed that operators would not be allowed to work villages. Gaming should take place in cities, municipalities and town councils.At the same function, over 30 legally-permitted operators including Betway Uganda were issued with licenses by Minister Bahati, Board members Tumubweine and Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Grace Akullo as well as CEO Edgar Agaba. The operators under the Uganda Bookmakers and Gaming Association (UBGA) also donated 15 tons of grain to the famine-stricken people in different parts of Uganda as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.