Uganda regulator tells bettors to withdraw balances as Bet1Cent plans to leave the market
Uganda's National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board published a public notice on 29 October 2026 saying Bet1Cent's parent company will end general betting in the country on 31 December 2026. Customers with balances or open tickets are told to settle everything before the deadline.
Bet1Cent is a Ugandan operation, so this does not change anything for South African players directly. It is still a useful example of what a regulator expects when a betting business leaves a market: public notice, a fixed date and a clear instruction to withdraw money early. South Africans who use any offshore site should know the same habit protects them, because a player outside a licensing regime has far fewer places to complain if a site disappears with funds still in the account.
What the regulator announced
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) in Uganda has issued a public notice about the betting brand Bet1Cent. According to the notice as reported by iGaming Afrika, the brand's parent company, Geefy Entertainment SMC Limited, has told the Board it will end its general betting operations in Uganda with effect from 31 December 2026.
The Board published the notice on Thursday 29 October 2026. It says it acted under Section 4(j) of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, which covers market governance, legal compliance and protecting the public.
What customers are being asked to do
The notice is aimed at anyone with an active wagering account, pending tickets or other dealings with the company. They are told to finish those transactions before the deadline. In practice that means three things:
- Withdraw any money left in the account.
- Settle any open claims or unpaid winnings.
- Reconcile the account so that nothing is left disputed.
The Board also gave an email address and a helpline for people who need help or have an unresolved concern.
What we could not confirm
We could not open the Board's own notice during this check, so the details above come from the trade report that carried it. The report does not say why the company is leaving, and we have not guessed at a reason. It also does not say whether other products from the same group are affected.
What it means for South African players
The lesson is practical. Do not keep large balances on any betting or casino site, and withdraw winnings promptly rather than leaving them to grow. Whether a site is licensed in another country or simply accepts South African players, it is not licensed in South Africa for online casino games, so local recourse is limited. Our casino reviews show what we have and have not verified about each site. Gambling is entertainment with real risk, not a way to earn money.
What to watch next
Watch for any follow-up from the NLGRB before 31 December, including whether the Board publishes a list of steps for customers who miss the deadline.