Ethiopia’s strict ban on sports betting remains enforced, according to the Ethiopian Lottery Service (ELS), which confirmed that there are currently no licensed operators within the country. Recently, there have been developments in the courts, along with growing concerns in the industry.
In a post shared on its official Telegram channel last week, ELS warned consumers against engaging with unlicensed betting sites, social media pages, or alternative payment platforms, citing that illegal operators pose risks to personal data and financial security. The message from ELS emphasized:
"At present, there is no sports betting organisation operating in Ethiopia with a legal licence. We strongly caution citizens not to engage in betting or deposit money through illegally operating sports betting services, websites, social media pages, or any other money-collection channels."
This warning follows significant enforcement actions taken by the government in late 2025. In November, the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) arrested 24 individuals associated with various sports betting companies, alleging widespread tax evasion and illegal financial activities.
Shortly thereafter, ELS suspended 22 betting licenses and ultimately revoked all licenses by December, effectively shuttering the legalized betting market in the country. Although authorities cited concerns over illegal financial transactions and national security, it remains unverified whether the license withdrawals were directly related to the recent arrests.
Despite the ongoing ban, officials have hinted that a regulated betting market may be reconsidered in the near future.
