Addressing Underage Gambling: Makerere University Guild Partners with National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board

The Makerere University Guild has signed an agreement with the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board to curb the increasing rate of underage gambling among students. This recent initiative will assist both parties in addressing critical issues plaguing the industry, such as problem gambling and financial security.

Underage gambling has become a growing concern in recent years. According to a survey conducted by Denis Mudene, the CEO of the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board, it was reported that 54% of gamblers fall below the age of 30, with many of them being university students. This partnership aims to effectively prevent young people from participating in gambling activities and developing addictive behaviors.

Vincent Lubega Nsamba, the outgoing president of Makerere University Guild, spoke about the risks of problem gambling associated with this collaboration. He stated, “The gambling vice has left many of our students dealing with mental health problems and putting many at risk of losing their property to money lenders. Problem gambling has led to so many students dropping out of school.”

In tackling this issue, proper enlightenment for students is seen as a beneficial approach. Denis Mudene emphasized that “Shared knowledge is the best tool to help students make informed choices about gambling. We commit to spreading the gospel truth about responsible gaming and supporting university initiatives.” He underscored the necessity of banning gambling for underage individuals, driving home the message that for those over 25, the advice is to play responsibly by setting limits, walking away, or only betting what they can afford to lose. However, the firm message for schools and universities is a strict no to gambling.

Vincent Lubega Nsamba further revealed that the University Guild will work diligently with the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board to educate students on responsible gambling. He said, “We will give time to the Board to educate students on responsible gaming. We will also use our various social media platforms to educate students on responsible gaming.” Student leaders will play a significant role in shaping their peers’ behaviors, and with adequate empowerment, they can encourage their colleagues to abstain from gambling or to gamble responsibly if they are of legal age. This strategic initiative aims to cultivate a culture of resilience and accountability among students.

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Looking ahead, the collaboration between the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board and Makerere University Guild is part of a larger commitment to develop a safer environment for students to gamble responsibly. As this partnership gains traction, there is hope that it will put an end to gambling addiction and its associated consequences for the underage population. The overarching vision is to integrate public awareness, education, research, and counseling into the responsible gambling initiative. According to Sections 3 and 4 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, the program’s core objectives must involve protecting the public from the adverse outcomes of gambling.