Uganda is one of the African countries with the most developed betting market and online casino. Gambling is legal here. In addition to legal companies, you can also find brands operating under international licenses on the Internet. Both legal and offshore BC have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it can be difficult to choose the best site for betting on sports. In this case, we recommend using our rating to easily find the best bookmaker for you.
Methodology of sportsbooks assessment
To evaluate a bookmaker, our analysts take into account more than 15 criteria, evaluating each of the parameters of the bookmaker separately. The main ones are:
- License availability. It is believed that a legal license is a sign of the bookmaker’s reliability. But there are some companies in our rating that stand out for high reliability even with an international license.
- Targeting Ugandan users. Legal companies are highly adapted to the local market. The site is available to users in English and payments are accepted in UGX. Most international companies also have official websites in English, and some even offer Swahili translation. In the analysis, we also pay attention to other aspects, for example, the quality of customer service from Uganda by the support service.
- Margin level and odds. This indicator affects the amount of users’ possible winnings. Even a 1% difference in the average margin level has a significant impact on a user’s results over the course.
- Payment methods and limits. It is important that users from Uganda have the opportunity to conveniently top up their game balance and withdraw winnings. The more payment options are available, including those common in the country, the higher the score for this parameter. We also pay attention to such parameters as the speed of operations, limits, fees, and others.
- Registration methods and the process of registration. Some BCs offer only one way to create an account. Others offer several types of registration, including simplified methods that allow you to create a personal account in less than a minute.
- Difficulty of verification. We pay attention not only to the identification process itself, but also to the reliability of saving personal data of users.
- Line diversity. The wider the range of sports and events, the easier it is to find a good bet. Some bookmakers accept daily bets on more than 1000 sports events in the pre-match line.
- Availability of mobile applications. The availability of software for smartphones has become one of the main criteria when choosing a BC. We also evaluate the functionality and usability of the application.
- Promotions for regular users and bonuses for newcomers. A promotional policy is something that can further motivate users to play at a particular BC. Bonus programs offer certain advantages. In addition, we pay attention to the difficulty of obtaining and wagering bonuses.
- Quality of support service. When evaluating the support service, the response speed of BC operators, the number of methods and convenience of communication, as well as the competence of the company’s employees are taken into account.
- Availability of additional functions. The advantage of bookmakers is the presence of additional functions (cashout, check editor, sections with statistics, analytics, results, as well as live video broadcasts, etc.).
- Betting limits. Both minimum bet amounts and restrictions on the maximum bet amount, winnings or odds are taken into account.
- Feedback from real users. One of the most important criteria is feedback from real users. We take this data only from independent resources, and we also offer you to leave your comments under our articles. The opinions of customers will definitely be taken into account.
Our analysts register with BC personally, therefore the information published on our website is verified. The average rating of the bookmaker is calculated by summing up the ratings for all parameters. For example, if on a 10-point scale the company received 10 points for the line, 8 for customer service by the support service and 9 for mobile applications, then the average score will be 9.0 ((10+8+9)/3).
For example, a simplified version is given, where 3 is the number of criteria taken into account. In fact, 15+ grades are taken into account, from which the average result is derived.
We do not cooperate with any bookmaker. Therefore, our evaluations are unbiased and honest.
Sportsbooks licensing in the country
The regulator of the betting market is the National Lotteries and Gambling Board of Uganda (NLGBU). A bookmaker that wants to work legally must buy a relevant license, comply with the established requirements and have a statutory fund specified in the rules for obtaining a license.
Bookmaking is legalized in Uganda under the Lotteries and Gambling Act 2016. Until recently, all adults over the age of 18 could place bets. But, after the changes, the age threshold was significantly raised – up to 25 years. These are now some of the most severe restrictions on access to gambling among African countries.
The authorities took such steps because of the growing popularity of sports betting in the country. At the same time, less experienced young BC users mostly lose, and are also more susceptible to the development of gambling addiction.
Try to control the passion for betting on sports and do not allow the excitement to turn into an addiction. At the first signs of addiction, try to limit access to betting sites and find another hobby.
How a sportsbook receives a license to operate in the country
To obtain a license in Uganda, a bookmaker must:
- Contact the National Lottery and Gambling Council.
- Fill out the prescribed sample form.
- Send the filled out form and the copies of the necessary documents to the National Council.
- Pay the necessary fees and send the relevant receipts.
- Wait for the inspection by the regulator’s employees and their answer about granting the license.
Usually the whole procedure takes up to 6 months. The company has to pay up to seven types of payments in the process of obtaining a license. The minimum authorized capital is 250,000,000 UGX or 68,000 USD.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Employees of the National Lottery and Gambling Regulatory Board can be contacted in person at the office or remotely. The contacts are as follows.
- 4th floor, Communications House, Plot 1 colville street, Kampala-Uganda, PO Box 5446.
- Tel: +256 414231628 +256 414231648
- Toll-free Number: 0800100090
- Email: info@lgrb.go.ug.
TOP best legal sportsbooks in the country at present
1xBet
1xbet is one of the best bookmakers in the country. Although the company operates under a Curacao license, BC has earned a reputation as a reliable brand. UGX payments are available for Ugandan users. The main advantages of 1xbet are many betting options, a wide selection of payment services (including cryptocurrencies), as well as a generous bonus policy with a wide selection of promotions.
BetPawa
BetPawa is a bookmaker with a legal license. It has a good range of bets and slots that are popular in Uganda to offer. There are relatively few sports in the line, but the bookmaker is focused on local users. Therefore, the line will contain all the most interesting sports events for customers from Uganda.
Fortebet
Fortebet is a bookmaker with a legal license. The company is distinguished by a high welcome bonus and a VIP program for regular users. All the most popular sports are available in the line. However, exotic disciplines are not present. Similarly, eSports are not featured in the line. In total, bets are accepted on 12+ sports. You can top up your account and withdraw your winnings using electronic payment methods popular in Uganda.
To choose the best bookmaker at the moment, feel free to take advantage of our rating. Choose BC with high ratings. Also, pay attention to the evaluations of individual criteria that are most important to you.
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Uganda?
Yes, it is. Bookmaking activity was legalized in Uganda in 2016. However, to gain the legal status, companies have to buy a license to provide bookmaking services.
How to find the best bookmaker in Uganda?
To find the best bookmaker, read our Uganda bookmaker ranking.
Which sports are the most popular among sports betting enthusiasts?
In Uganda, football, tennis, rugby, and cricket are popular among bettors.
Are foreign bookies available in Uganda?
Yes, they are. You can place bets in BC with an international license. However, you should choose such companies carefully, because legal bookmakers are considered more reliable.
To find a reliable international bookmaker, use our rating.
At what age can you bet in Uganda?
Following recent changes, users aged 25 and over can play at legal bookmakers in Uganda. When it comes to international BCs, they accept clients aged 18+.
