Uganda · B2B & B2C
Obtaining a Gambling License in Uganda
The 2019 moratorium on new licences still stands, so the only way in is acquiring or partnering with a licensed Ugandan entity. We help you identify a target and manage the acquisition.
Uganda at a glance
- Regulator
- National Lotteries & Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB)
- Law
- Lotteries and Gaming Act 2016
- Online route
- The same vertical categories cover online and retail (no separate remote-gaming class)
- GGR tax
- 30% of GGR (harmonised from 1 Jul 2026)
- Tax on winnings
- 15% on net winnings (reinstated from 1 Jul 2026)
- Min. capital / guarantee
- UGX 250M–5bn by vertical; UGX 500M bank guarantee (indicative)
- Timeline
- 21-day statutory window; longer in practice
- Foreign ownership
- Permitted via a local company and local representation
Key consideration: A moratorium on NEW licences has stood since 2019, so entry is by acquisition only. Minimum age is 25, and NITA-U + NCEMS connection are required.
Uganda is a fast-growing, mobile-money-driven betting market, but a uniquely closed one. A presidential moratorium on new gambling licences has stood since 2019, so the regulator only renews existing licences. That makes market entry a matter of acquisition, not application.
Who needs a licence
Any operator offering betting, casino, gaming machines, lottery, pool betting or bingo to Ugandan players needs an NLGRB licence in the relevant vertical; the same categories cover online and retail. Suppliers and manufacturers have their own B2B licences. But because no new operator licences are being issued, a new entrant must acquire or partner with a licensed holder.
The process
Entry runs through acquiring (or partnering with) a licensed Ugandan entity: target sourcing, due diligence, the transfer/partnership structure, and re-papering compliance, which covers NITA-U certification, NCEMS connection, FIA/AML registration and the 25+ age controls. From 1 July 2026, plan for a 30% GGR tax and a 15% withholding tax on net winnings. SMPL Core helps you identify a target, manage the deal and stand up the operation, with an optional platform and payments bundle.
Licence types
What you can license in Uganda
The B2C operator licences and B2B supplier routes we cover.
B2C operator licences
For brands taking bets or running games for players.
- Sports / general betting
- Casino
- Gaming / slot machines
- National & public lottery
- Pool betting
- Bingo
B2B supplier licences
For software, platform and game suppliers.
- Gaming machine supplier / manufacturer
- Betting intermediary
How to get licensed in Uganda
End-to-end, from entity to live operation.
Jurisdiction & feasibility
We confirm the right licence class for your model and map the requirements, costs and timeline.
Company & resident director
We incorporate a compliant local entity (registered office, secretary, tax) and provide the resident/nominee director regulators require.
Application & regulator liaison
We draft and submit the application, prepare the probity dossier and manage the regulator through to grant.
Licence & go-live
We set up banking and payment rails and, if you want it, bundle the platform so you launch fast.
Costs
Government fees & taxes
Official regulator and tax figures. These are government charges, not SMPL's service fee. Figures verified 2026-06-11; confirm against the regulator before relying on them.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | UGX 10–50M (~$2.7k–13.5k) by vertical resident vs foreigner tiers (indicative) |
| Licence (betting / casino) | UGX 10M / 15M indicative |
| Bank guarantee | UGX 500M (~$135k) indicative |
| GGR tax | 30% of GGR (harmonised from 1 Jul 2026) |
| Tax on player winnings | 15% on net winnings (reinstated from 1 Jul 2026) |
Get a tailored Uganda quote
Tell us your model, and we'll map a fast, compliant route and the all-in cost.
What we do
Our Uganda licensing services
End-to-end market entry. Pick the pieces you need.
Jurisdiction selection & feasibility
We compare regimes, taxes and timelines and recommend the right market and licence class for your model.
Licence acquisition / M&A
Where new licences are frozen, we source and acquire (or partner with) a licensed local entity.
Local company incorporation
Registration of a compliant local entity, including memorandum/articles and registered office.
Nominee & resident-director provision
A vetted resident/local director to satisfy genuine-presence rules — structured for full beneficial-ownership transparency.
Registered office & company secretary
Local registered address, company secretary and statutory record-keeping.
Tax registration
Tax identification, gaming-tax and VAT registration with the local revenue authority.
UBO & fit-and-proper dossier
Preparation of beneficial-ownership disclosures and the probity/background-check pack regulators require.
Licence application & regulator liaison
Drafting and submission of the application and ongoing liaison with the regulator through to grant.
AML / KYC policy
Anti-money-laundering and KYC policies aligned to local law and FIU reporting requirements.
Responsible-gambling policy
Self-exclusion, deposit limits, age verification and responsible-gaming compliance.
Corporate bank account
Opening a local corporate and settlement account — a hard precondition for licensed operation.
Payments & mobile-money integration
Onboarding to local rails (M-Pesa, MoMo, bank transfer, cards) that an offshore licence can't access.
Renewals & ongoing compliance
Annual renewals, regulatory reporting and compliance audits so your licence stays live.
Why SMPL Core
A specialist in African licensing
Genuine national licences, a compliant local director, and an optional platform bundle, a combination few competitors match.
Africa-native, on the ground
We do the hard national licences in-market, not an offshore shell that can't touch local payments.
Compliant resident director
We provide the genuine local presence regulators require, with full beneficial-ownership transparency.
Platform on tap
Bundle SMPL's casino platform, aggregator and payments to go live under one SLA, optional and never forced.
Get licensed in Uganda
30 minutes, licensing only. We'll confirm the licence class you need in Uganda, what it costs and how long the grant realistically takes.
Uganda licensing FAQ
Common questions about getting licensed in Uganda.
No platform or game content yet?
Bundle SMPL's casino platform and game aggregator with original games, payments and hosting, and launch faster under one SLA.
Disclaimer: This page is general information about gambling licensing in Uganda. It is not legal, tax or financial advice and does not create a client relationship. SMPL Core is a market-entry and licensing consultancy, not a law firm or licensed legal practice; regulated legal and tax services are delivered through qualified local professionals. Laws, taxes, fees and timelines change frequently and some figures are indicative, so verify any figure with the relevant regulator or a qualified local adviser before acting; figures last reviewed 2026-06-11. We do not facilitate any arrangement intended to conceal beneficial ownership or circumvent local-ownership requirements.