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Gambling licensing in Ethiopia
Sports betting in Ethiopia is licensed by the Ethiopian Lottery Service, under the Ministry of Finance. There are currently no licensed online operators. On 4 December 2025 the regulator suspended the licences of 22 betting companies after an investigation into more than 100 billion birr of concealed revenue, and on 15 December 2025 all sports betting licences were revoked nationwide. Banks and payment providers were told to block betting payments. In July 2026 the regulator confirmed that no betting operator holds a valid licence, and that claims of permission based on a court case are false. In September 2026 it announced plans to relaunch sports betting and digital lotteries under stricter rules and a new technology-based monitoring system, after an audit found 27.5 billion birr owed by operators. Licensed brands will be added here once new licences are issued.
Information reviewed: 26 September 2026
Regulator and legal framework
- Primary framework
- Proclamation No. 535/1999 and Sports Betting Lottery Licensing Directive No. 856/2014 (E.C.)
- Minimum age
- 21
Licence categories
- Sports betting lottery licence (all revoked December 2025)
- National lottery (run by the state)
Key licensee requirements
- Hold a sports betting lottery licence from the Ethiopian Lottery Service
- Pay the state commission on betting turnover, plus licence renewal and registration fees
- Use payment channels approved by the regulator
- New licensing terms for the planned relaunch not yet published
Legislation and standards
Proclamation No. 535/1999
Establishes the National Lottery Administration and its powers over lotteries and betting.
Sports Betting Lottery Licensing Directive No. 856/2014 (E.C.)
Licensing rules for sports betting, issued December 2022.
Revocation of all licences (15 December 2025)
Every sports betting licence cancelled during the revenue investigation; the market remains closed.