Writer: Allan Tumushabe. PHOTO/FILE/COURTESY
As Africa’s gaming industry grows at an unprecedented pace, the fundamental question is no longer whether we will grow, but how we grow and whether that growth will be sustainable, ethical, and inclusive.
True success in this industry is no longer defined by profits alone.
It is measured by how we treat our players, how we contribute to the communities we operate in, and how responsibly we partner with regulators and society at large.
Under the Lotteries and Gaming Act Cap 334, individuals below the age of 25 are prohibited from engaging in gaming.
Upholding this law is not just a regulatory requirement it’s a moral obligation.
Investing in initiatives such as know your customer is key.
Know your customer is process where businesses verify the identity of their customers and understand their financial activities to prevent fraud, money laundering, and terrorist financing.
These protocols help us ensure players meet age and identity requirements before accessing our platform.
But verification technology alone isn’t enough.
That’s why robust player activity monitoring tools designed to identify harmful gaming patterns early and trigger timely support mechanisms are important.
Complement this with partnerships with professional counseling and rehabilitation support providers for those facing gambling-related challenges.
Ethics in gaming, however, cannot be entirely automated.
It requires a human touch.
Customer support teams must be trained to recognize signs of distress and problematic behavior, offering players personalized support when they need it most.
Players are not just user IDs or data points.
They are real people with responsibilities, emotions, and stories.
There is a persistent misconception that ethics and profitability are mutually exclusive in gaming.
On the contrary, responsible practices build more resilient and successful businesses particularly in emerging markets like Uganda.
Players are more loyal to operators who prioritize their well-being, and regulators are more open to working with businesses that demonstrate transparency and accountability.
Responsible gaming tools, such as deposit limits, betting history logs, and self-assessment quizzes, are not just regulatory boxes to tick.
They are empowering tools that help players make informed choices and stay in control of their gaming behavior.
Internationally, countries with mature gaming industries offer valuable lessons in regulatory design and ethical responsibility.
In the United Kingdom, for example, the gambling commission mandates strict affordability checks and promotes advertising standards aimed at preventing gambling harm.
Malta, one of the world’s most regulated online gaming jurisdictions, emphasizes player protection and industry integrity, making it a hub for responsible operators.
These international practices show us that ethical gaming is not a limitation; it’s a competitive advantage.
And it’s one that Uganda must strive to emulate as our sector grows.
Uganda has made commendable progress in strengthening its gaming regulatory environment, especially in reducing underage gaming.
But as the sector evolves with emerging technologies, digital wallets, and new gaming formats, the law must evolve too.
A robust, future-ready framework must be adaptive, enforceable, and inclusive developed through ongoing dialogue among gaming operators, government bodies, civil society organizations, and local communities.
Every player should understand both the entertainment value and the potential risks of gaming.
Through partnerships with regulators, NGOs, and educational institutions, nationwide sensitization programs that reach all demographics including bodaboda riders are key.
Knowledge is power, and informed players are safer players which is also good for our business.
We are betting on a future where integrity, innovation, and inclusivity define Africa’s gaming industry.
The writer, Allan Tumushabe, is the CEO Chop Gaming Limited Uganda (T/A betPawa)
