Data-led regulation key to Africa’s iGaming growth: NLGRB
Africa’s fast-growing gaming industry needs smarter regulation, stronger cross-border cooperation and greater use of artificial intelligence (AI) to sustain growth and public trust, according to Dennis Mudene Ngabirano, CEO of the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board.
Speaking to SiGMA News, Ngabirano said regulators must move beyond traditional enforcement models and adopt technology-driven oversight to manage an industry that is becoming increasingly digital. His comments come as Africa’s iGaming sector continues to expand. According to the SiGMA Africa Market Report 2026, based on data from market intelligence platform Blask covering February 2025 to January 2026, regulated markets account for approximately 85–90 per cent of measurable engagement and 80–85 per cent of estimated revenue across the continent.
South Africa remains Africa’s largest regulated gaming market, recording a peak engagement index of around 90.7 million and monthly revenue exceeding $215 million. Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda also rank among the continent’s leading regulated jurisdictions.
Ngabirano believes regulators can support innovation without compromising oversight by focusing resources on the areas where risks are greatest. “Adopting risk-based regulation will help us in balancing the gaming industry,” he said. “Focus needs to be put on high-risk operators while letting the less risky or compliant operators be friction-free.”
He added that such an approach promotes long-term sustainability while allowing regulators to concentrate on the most pressing threats. “You basically promote sustainability in the gaming industry and ensure that you deal with what is most pressing.”
Uganda targets illegal operators through payments
Illegal online operators and unlicensed slot machine networks remain among the biggest challenges facing African regulators. In Uganda, Ngabirano said authorities have developed enforcement strategies focused on financial monitoring and inter-agency cooperation.
“What we do is that we follow the money,” he said.
With almost all online gaming transactions in Uganda conducted through mobile money services, regulators can identify payment aggregators linked to illegal operators. “When we discover an online illegal company, we transact and follow the money.”
The regulator works alongside the Uganda Communications Commission, the Bank of Uganda and mobile money providers to block offending platforms.
The challenge extends beyond online gambling. According to Ngabirano, illegal slot machine operators often import gaming machines as spare parts before assembling them locally.
To counter this, the regulator works with the Uganda Revenue Authority and the Uganda Police Force to intercept equipment and seize illegal machines already in operation.
“To date, we have confiscated over 7,000 pieces of illegal gaming equipment,” he shared. The machines are then destroyed in partnership with the National Enterprise Corporation.
“Our focus is to collaborate with other government agencies and other institutions that can support us in enforcing on these companies.”
AI will shift regulation from reactive to proactive
Ngabirano said Africa’s regulators must embrace AI and advanced analytics to keep pace with a rapidly digitising industry. “There’s no debate about us leveraging AI and all those disruptive technologies to regulate the gaming industry.”
According to the SiGMA Africa Market Report, East Africa has emerged as one of Africa’s strongest gaming corridors. Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda all rank among the continent’s top markets for both engagement and revenue, driven largely by mobile-first betting behaviour.
Ngabirano argues that regulators must adopt the same technological tools operators use.
“This is an ICT-led industry,” he said. “Operators are using systems to offer their services, so as regulators, we also need to adopt systems and technologies that will help us monitor the sector in real time.”
He said that data-driven oversight would allow authorities to make faster, better-informed decisions. “We need to move away from reactive regulation to proactive regulation.”
Uganda has already begun deploying AI-enabled systems to strengthen responsible gaming measures. “We are already deploying some AI-enabled platforms that are helping us understand the behaviour of players,” Ngabirano shared.
“That then informs our responsible gaming controls.”
Regulator calls for greater alignment across Africa
Ngabirano also urged African regulators to pursue common technical and responsible gaming standards to improve transparency and attract investment. “We need to agree on adopting similar standards.”
“Especially in technical standards, gaming standards and responsible gaming standards.”
For Ngabirano, harmonised standards and technology-led regulation will be essential if African jurisdictions are to capture more economic value while maintaining public confidence.
“We must focus on automating systems that help us regulate,” he said. “We need technologies that will help us monitor the sector in real time and be able to make informed decisions that are informed by data.”
Cape Town calls. From 15–17 February 2027, SiGMA Africa unites regulators, operators, affiliates and investors for two days of networking, innovation and industry-defining conversations. Join the people shaping Africa’s gaming future.
