Uganda’s Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija, has revealed that tax revenues from the gaming and betting industry will be allocated to enhance sports infrastructure in anticipation of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Uganda Gaming AFCON
This initiative comes amid expectations of a substantial boost in revenue from the gambling sector.
In the financial year 2022/23, the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board recorded a surplus of Shs33bn ($8.87m), contributing Shs193bn to the National Treasury.
With new entrants like ITHUBA Uganda entering the market, the government forecasts gaming and lottery revenue will rise to at least Shs300bn in the 2024/25 financial year.
Read Also: Farida Karoney Appointed Chairperson of National Lottery Board
ITHUBA, which has invested Shs51.8bn as the first national lottery operator in Uganda, has already set jackpots totaling Shs2.8bn across various games.
As a result of these advancements, the national lottery is projected to yield Shs87bn in gaming tax and an additional Shs60bn in non-tax revenue.
For the 2024/25 fiscal year, the sports sector’s priorities include building the Hoima Stadium, with an estimated budget of Shs280bn, along with renovations to Namboole Stadium.
Parliament has approved Shs152bn for the Hoima project, part of Uganda’s collective Pamoja bid with East African neighbors to host AFCON 2027. The existing budget also designates Shs110bn for the development of training facilities nationwide. Uganda Gaming Betting AFCON
Furthermore, Uganda is required to provide $30m in commitment fees for hosting rights, a shared expense with other East African nations including Kenya and Tanzania.
