MelBet Leaves Ugandan Gambling Market

MelBet has left the Ugandan gambling scene for good after regulators pulled its operating licence, and now officials are telling players to get their money out right away.

The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) has made it clear that Fox Bet Limited — the outfit running the MelBet name in Uganda — can't offer betting or casino games there anymore. The licence got revoked as of January 1, 2026, so the company has to shut down everything aimed at local customers straight off.

In a notice put out a few days ago, the board told anyone with cash still in a MelBet account to pull it out fast and shut the account down. They also pointed out the real dangers of playing on sites without a licence, like possibly losing your money with no way to fight back if something goes wrong.

Officials haven't said exactly why they took the licence away from MelBet, but it fits into a bigger push to toughen up gambling rules across Uganda. The year started with a lot stricter setup for licences, which kicked in during the renewal process that got going last October.

With the new setup, anyone running casinos has a bunch more rules to follow. That means signing up with the Financial Intelligence Authority, handing in reports every year on efforts against money laundering and terror funding, plus piles of paperwork proving they're paying taxes properly, having solid finances checked by auditors, good company management, and clear business plans.

They've ramped up the tech side too. All gambling platforms need approval from the National Information Technology Authority–Uganda now, and slot machines or similar gear have to hook up to the National Central Electronic Monitoring System for live oversight by the authorities.

These tougher rules don't just hit the operators — people in key roles and even their suppliers have extra hoops to jump through. All in all, it's obvious the government wants a much stronger grip on the gambling business and to cut the hazards that come with playing outside the rules.

What This Means for Uganda’s Gambling Market

MelBet packing up shows there's a real change happening, with closer watch over the whole gambling trade in Uganda. The regulators aren't messing around anymore, and they're sending a message that only companies playing by the book get to stick around. Stiffer barriers for getting a licence, more digging into finances, and stricter tech standards will probably mean fewer sites to choose from soon. On the flip side, it could mean better safeguards for punters and move things toward cleaner, more tightly run casino setups overall.