At the beginning of 2019 President Yoweri Musevini directed his government to put a halt on the renewal or issuing of gambling licences in Uganda. Musevini took the decision after coming under increasing pressure from religious groups to halt the spread of gambling. These groups are opposed to gambling on moral grounds.
Unlike most other African countries, Ugandans were previously free to gamble in a variety of ways – both in land-based casinos and online. However, this latest announcement from President Museveni represents a significant blow for the Ugandan gambling industry.
In this article we take an in-depth look at how the sector is faring in Uganda and evaluate whether or not President Museveni has made the right decision for the country.
How does Uganda compare to the rest of Africa?
A commercial from the Casino Association of South Africa highlighting the penalties for those found to be illegally gambling online
As you would expect from such a large geographical area with a variety of cultural norms and traditions, attitudes to gambling Africa differ greatly on a country-by-country basis. At the top and bottom of the continent are two countries with hard-line approaches to gambling.
To the north in Egypt, gambling is restricted solely to foreign tourists. No Egyptian is permitted to enter a casino and bet, likewise no Egyptian citizen is permitted to place a bet with an online casino or betting operator.
At the base of the continent we find the country with the most physical casinos in Africa, but a country that strongly opposes online gambling. In South Africa there are no shortage of physical venues to place bets, but if any citizen bets online they will be liable to large fines and potential imprisonment.
Most other countries in Africa have slightly more moderate attitudes to gambling than Egypt and South Africa. Although if the religious groups in Uganda get their way, the country could soon be joining Africa’s most hardline anti-gambling nations.
What has driven President Museveni’s decision?
Firstly President Museveni has been driven to make this decision under growing pressure from Religious groups that see the act of gambling as immoral. Secondly, public opinion towards gambling is gradually shifting.
In a recent poll by a national radio station almost 60% of Ugandan’s polled were in favour of a ban on gambling in the country. Online gambling and in particular online sports gambling have been cited as one of the main factors behind the socio-economic problems among young people in Uganda today.
President Museveni is also of the opinion that gambling encourages people to focus on get rich quick schemes rather than working hard. The move towards criminalisation seems to be a more general move towards a more conservative society in general.
How could Uganda benefit from gambling?
The current public mood seems to be against gambling in Uganda, however that need not necessarily be the case. Gambling is currently being represented as a scourge to society by those who are in opposition to it.
However, gambling could turn out to be quite the opposite if it were to be regulated and monitored properly and effectively by the government. By imposing bigger taxes on the gambling industry President Museveni could use gambling to his benefit in order to improve the infrastructure of Uganda – using the considerable tax revenue provided by gambling operators to invest in public services like hospitals, schools and transport.
These funds could also be used to support the problem gamblers who have partly fuelled Uganda’s anti-gambling drive. This would allow the government to take proper measures to safeguard those that are adversely affected by gambling. Criminalisation of gambling will not stop people from gambling – it will merely drive it underground, where people who gamble will not only be denied support, but may actively be in danger.
Where in the world is gambling successful?
The United Kingdom is by far the best example of a country that regulates and maintains a fair and safe gambling industry. Not only does the UK gambling industry bring in annual revenues of over £15 billion, but a substantial amount of that figure is donated to gambling charities.
Every gambling establishment in the UK is obliged by the government to donate a percentage of their revenues to relevant gambling charities. By doing this the UK government have ensured that there is no shortage of help for those out there struggling with gambling addictions.
In addition to this there are strict regulations imposed on gambling companies to monitor problem gambling, combat money laundering and monitor criminal activity. According to gambling experts these factors contribute to a mature gambling audience who are less likely to encounter gambling problems.
The widespread legalisation of most forms of gambling in the UK has led to healthy competition in the sector. Especially in terms of the online gambling sector, where customers are free to choose from a range of high-quality operators providing a range of engaging games – from roulette and poker through to slots.
Take a look at these exciting online casino games from 888 casino and you’ll see just why British gamblers have never had it so good.
Summary
It looks increasingly likely that Uganda will outlaw all forms of gambling in the coming months. And while it may be celebrated as a moral victory, in reality it may actually have a negative impact on the people the policy is designed to support. It could also affect the economy for the worse.
Although there are undoubtedly social issues pertaining to gambling, countries like the United Kingdom have shown that if regulated properly, the gambling industry can be safe as well as beneficial to the economy. Perhaps that is a lesson that Uganda will learn before it’s too late.
