The Uganda Government through the Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (LGRB) has drafted tough advertising guidelines to betting firms in a move orchestrated to minimize on their activities, Business Focus exclusively reports.
According to the leaked Gaming and Betting (Advertisement) Directives 2019 seen by this website, the new rules shall supplement regulations on advertisement contained in the Lotteries and Gaming (Betting) Regulations, S.1NO.09 of 2017and shall apply to print advertising, broadcast advertising, outdoor, direct mail, online advertising and cellophane and mobile advertising.
The directives signed off by Manzi Tumubweinee, the Chairman of LGRB show that all advertisements shall be specifically approved by the Board before publication.
“All advertisements (for radio and TV) shall be run between 9am to 5pm and 9pm to 5am,” the directives read in part, adding that the approved adverts shall run for a period not exceeding three months from the date of approve and thereafter shall be resubmitted to the Board for approval.
“Every approved advert shall run once per hour on the specified medium of advertisement during the approved time for advertisement,” the directives read.
It adds that all warnings and statutory messages contained in video/ usual advertisements must be voiced over.
“Billboards and outdoor advertisement in form of posters and banners are prohibited,” the directives further read.
They add that premises shall have a maximum of one poster/ signage located at the entrance of the premises of the building in which they are situated.
“No company names, trade names or slogans shall be accepted anywhere outside the gaming premises except on the premises signage,” the directives further read, adding: “Premises may however be branded in company theme colours and company logos on the outside.”
Advertisement or endorsement of gaming, betting or casino products using popular or celebrated persons in society is prohibited.
Gaming and betting companies shall also not claim credit for sponsoring events.
“The form of credit in question includes mentions of gaming company names or trade names during the advertisement or promotion of any such event,” the directives further read.
