What the regulator asks for
Year one cost
€30k-€80k Year 1
Plan €30k to €80k for year one. The licence fees themselves are small: roughly $2,700 for a sportsbook and $4,000 for a casino, with higher rates for foreign operators. Most of the budget goes to the local entity, legal work and setup.
Timeline
4-6 months
Expect 4 to 6 months from application to licence under the Lotteries and Gaming Act 2016.
Gaming tax
Betting 20% GGR, gaming and casino 30% GGR. A harmonised 30% GGR rate for all betting and gaming takes effect 1 July 2026. 15% withholding on player winnings.
Marketing climate
Moderate.
The market
Uganda regulates online gambling through the National Gaming Board (NGBU) under the Lotteries and Gaming Act 2016. Betting pays 20% tax on gross gaming revenue and gaming pays 30%; from 1 July 2026 a single 30% rate applies to both. There is also a 15% withholding tax on player winnings. Licence fees are low, but you need a local Ugandan company to apply.
How the application runs
You apply to the NGBU through a Ugandan company. Set up the local entity first, then file with corporate and financial documents.
Ongoing compliance
Licensed operators follow Uganda's AML rules. The 15% withholding tax on player winnings also creates a reporting duty.
What you can and cannot say
Marketing restrictions are moderate. Standard advertising rules apply.
The honest read
What it means for your plan
A smaller East African market. The move to a single 30% GGR rate from 1 July 2026 makes the tax line heavier; model it on the new rate, not the old one. Works best as part of a multi-country African strategy.
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