President Yoweri Museveni has banned Sports Betting and gambling in Uganda, State Minister for Finance David Bahati revealed on Sunday.

According to Bahati, the President directed government not to issue licenses to new sports betting companies in Uganda and that licenses of existing companies should not be renewed. This may come as a shock to many residents, however, there is still an option for them to go online and check out sports betting games like ncaab picks and parlays and see how they can still play legally online.

Minister Bahati was speaking at a church congregation in Kabale on Sunday.

“We have received a directive from President Museveni to stop licensing sports betting, gaming and gambling companies. The President has now directed the board which has been regulating them. From now on, no new companies are going to be licensed. Those which are already registered, no renewal of licences when they expire,” he said.

The minister added that the President gave the directive because sports betting has diverted the attention of Ugandan youth from hard work.

Manzi Tumubweine, the chairperson of National Gaming Board Uganda however, denied having any knowledge about the directive.

“I can’t comment on what I don’t know. I will respond to this as soon as I receive the policy,” Tumubweine said.

Gambling in Uganda is a legal activity authorized and regulated under The National Lotteries Act and the Gaming and Pool Betting (Control and Taxation) Act. It mainly takes the following form: lotteries, casinos and gaming and pool betting. Over 2000 active operators have been engaged in various gambling modes and techniques earning government over 11.3 billion shillings in the FY2013/2014.