SBA Bet Uganda in 2026
SBA, short for Sports Betting Africa and sometimes written sbaBET, was once one of the most visible betting names in Ugandan towns, with around 200 shops. Today the picture is much less clear. The brand does not appear on the 2024 licensed-operator list published by the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), and a 2024 review says it lost its gambling licence in Uganda. This page sets out what is known, what is not, and how to check any bookmaker yourself.
Who Is SBA
SBA is a betting brand that historically ran shops and an online platform in Uganda. Domains tied to it include sba.co.ug, which still responds with the title “SBA Uganda”, and sbabet.ug, which exists but whose content could not be checked. A mobile site on sbazone.com is mentioned by one review. SBA belongs to the EDITEC group, which, according to SBC News in 2016, also runs Premier Bet. The currency used is the Ugandan shilling (UGX).
The 2021 Shop Closures
In December 2021 SBA closed all of its shops in Uganda, at least 200 across major towns, each staffed by four to six people (The Observer, 10 December 2021). The reasons given were financial strain and coronavirus restrictions. A marketing manager said the company was moving online. Since then the physical network has not returned, so any claim of “SBA shops near you” should be treated with caution.
What Sources Say About the SBA Licence
| Source | What it says | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| NLGRB register 2024 | SBA / Sports Betting Africa is not listed, neither by company nor by domain | Official, but covers 2024 only |
| CasinoArena (September 2024) | The brand lost its gambling licence in Uganda; warns against SBA spin-offs | Independent review, no document cited |
| Betvor (undated, 2026) | “Licence for Uganda”, without a number or a regulator | Not verifiable |
| AfricaSoccer (2026) | “Under NLGRB supervision”, a phrase repeated across its reviews | Template text, no number |
Taken together, a current NLGRB licence for SBA has not been confirmed. That is not proof that none exists, because the 2026 register has not been checked here. It means you cannot rely on SBA being licensed until you see it on the official list yourself.
Why a Licence Matters to You
Under the Lotteries and Gaming Act 2016, betting operators in Uganda must hold an NLGRB licence. With a licensed bookmaker you can take a dispute to the company, then to the regulator and the Ugandan courts. With an operator that is not on the list, those routes may not exist. Payments can also be affected, and your money may be hard to recover if a payout is refused.
How to Check Any Bookmaker Before You Deposit
- Open the NLGRB list of licensed companies for the current year; licences expire every 31 December.
- Find the company name and match its website address with the domain you are about to use.
- Confirm the licence type covers online betting, not only shops.
- Pay only from a Mobile Money wallet in your own name and never send money to a personal number.
SBA and Premier Bet
Because both brands came from EDITEC, some SBA players may be looking for Premier Bet, which is operated in Uganda by Eldorado Company Limited. Premier Bet is on the 2024 register, but a review says its 2026 licence is listed as land-based, so even there you should verify that online betting is covered. This page does not say the two brands merged.
Operators on the 2024 NLGRB register include Chop Gaming Limited (betPawa), Massalia SMC Limited (Fortebet), A Better Place Limited (GSB), Parsha International Limited (Champion Bet) and Blue Cube Ltd (Kagwirawo, now KBet). Check the 2026 list before relying on any of them.
Responsible Gambling
Set a budget and a time limit before you play, and never bet money you need for rent, school fees or food. If betting is causing problems, stop, speak to someone you trust and ask for help. Licensed operators in Uganda must offer self-exclusion under the Responsible Gaming Directives 2025.