On September 2, Lottomatica announced the acquisition of Cirsa, a deal that will incorporate four Moroccan casinos into one of Europe’s biggest publicly traded gambling firms. Currently, Morocco represents about 2% of Cirsa's total revenue and contributes roughly 4% to its earnings.
Although neither company has disclosed intentions to pursue an online betting license in North Africa, this agreement draws attention to the disparities in Morocco's gaming market.
Land-based gambling operations successfully attract foreign investment, as demonstrated by Cirsa’s recent expansion efforts in Marrakech in November. In stark contrast, private online betting lacks a designated licensing framework.
Cirsa’s IPO prospectus is explicit in its assessment: "Online gaming only exists for betting, which is operated by a state agency," referring to Morocco’s current laws. It further clarifies that online casino games "are not permitted."
Similar licensing issues are present in Tunisia and Egypt, where governmental focus has largely been on enforcing prohibitions rather than fostering private online markets.
In Morocco, state-owned Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports (MDJS) monopolizes sports betting, including both online and virtual options. Extensively controlled, MDJS is 90% government-owned and chaired by the Minister of Sports. Its exclusivity is said to continue until 2036 as per a 2016 agreement with the state. Notably, MDJS manages its operations through a tendered management contract instead of a conventional license, with unauthorized gaming and lotteries deemed criminal offenses under penal code articles 282 to 285.
MDJS has also taken legal action to combat unauthorized offshore betting. On January 12, the Casablanca commercial court mandated Maroc Telecom, Orange Maroc, and Inwi to restrict access to 19 specific betting sites and local payment platforms, threatening non-compliance with a fine of MAD10,000 daily.
However, this court order was short-lived. On January 26, 2024, the commercial court of appeal suspended and subsequently annulled the ruling, resolving MDJS's claim and stopping the daily penalties. MDJS retains the option to appeal this decision.
In addressing the impact of offshore betting, MDJS Director General Younes El Mechrafi disclosed in a parliamentary sport forum that illegal sports betting stakes were approximated at MAD3.5 billion in 2024 and estimated the state’s financial losses at around MAD700 million, impacting the national sports development fund and the Treasury.
Tunisian gambling laws, established under Decree-Law 74-20 in October 1974, recognize only the state-controlled entity, Promosport, for lawful sports betting, while horse race betting is handled by Agence Tunisienne de Solidarité.
Currently, Tunisia’s parliament is evaluating two contrasting approaches to online gambling, yet neither has advanced towards establishing a licensing framework.
A private members' bill introduced on January 20 by 23 deputies aims to modify the 1974 decree-law to effectively prohibit all online gambling, mandating internet and payment service providers to block such activities. Among those backing this legislation, MP Yasser Gourari labeled online gambling a "social scourge," highlighting its severe personal repercussions, including driving individuals to contemplate suicide due to financial losses.
This bill has stagnated after a single committee meeting on February 3.
Meanwhile, a revised government proposal circulated in November 2024 aims to draft a gambling and sports betting law, aligning it with international standards concerning sports betting integrity and anti-money laundering measures. However, it remains unclear whether this would enable private operators or simply freshen Promosport’s monopoly.
In Egypt, gambling regulations are tailored for physical casinos, as stated in Law 8 of 2022, which permits gambling only for non-Egyptians. An absence of a licensing framework for online betting persists.
In October 2024, the former prosecutor-general ordered the freezing of e-wallets and mobile lines associated with betting agents, while in February 2025, plans to block approximately 80% of betting applications were announced in collaboration with telecommunications and media authorities.
Ahmed Badawi, who heads the House communications committee, indicated in May the intention to amend anti-cybercrime legislation to explicitly cover online betting, with severe penalties being considered. However, specific amendments have yet to materialize formally.
Additionally, a private member's bill proposed by MP Martha Mahrous in January 2025 seeks substantial prison sentences and fines for those involved in promoting or facilitating online betting, but progress on this proposal has halted.
With the parliament concluding on July 22, no legislation concerning betting was passed. Reports from Egyptian news outlet Al-Watan indicate that debates surrounding electronic betting were still pending as of August 17, apart from cybercrime law changes. The House is scheduled to reconvene on October 1.
Among these three nations, North Africa faces a persistent licensing gap for online betting. While Morocco operates under court challenges defending its gaming exclusivity, Tunisia's legislative efforts remain stalled, and Egypt has heavily relied on law enforcement actions against unregulated online betting activities.
Contrasts are stark when juxtaposed with land-based gambling, which can effectively operate under established frameworks and attract international investment. Conversely, private online betting remains entirely outside legal channels.
The scale of illegal betting markets is difficult to quantify. The only public estimate we have comes from MDJS, which reports figures around MAD3.5 billion annually. No equivalent estimates are currently available for Tunisia or Egypt, underscoring a lack of transparency in these markets.
Without a structured licensing path, these regions struggle with measurement, taxation, and regulation of online betting. Efforts to combat unauthorized operators may disrupt some activity, yet do not diminish demand; governments are left concentrating on suppressing offshore betting rather than integrating it into a regulated framework.
