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.
For operators planning next steps
From a licence comparison to an operator launch plan
Fees and requirements alone do not establish eligibility or readiness. Confirm current regulatory conditions with the authority and then plan product, payments and implementation.
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