Lottomatica's recent agreement to acquire Cirsa, announced on September 2, facilitates the integration of four Moroccan casinos into one of Europe's largest gambling groups. Cirsa's operations in Morocco contribute approximately 2% of the company's revenue and about 4% of its earnings.
Despite this significant merger, neither Lottomatica nor Cirsa has indicated any intentions to pursue an online betting license in North Africa. This situation sheds light on the prevalent discrepancies within Morocco's gambling landscape.
While physical gambling ventures can attract foreign investment, there is a notable lack of licensing options for online betting. Cirsa's initial public offering prospectus clearly states, "Online gaming only exists for betting, which is operated by a state agency," adding that online casino games are "not allowed."
This divide also exists in Tunisia and Egypt, where governments have chosen a path of prohibition and enforcement rather than allowing private operators in the online betting sector.
In Morocco, sports betting, including online and virtual events, is exclusively managed by the state-owned Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports (MDJS). The Treasury owns 90% of MDJS, which is helmed by the sports minister. The company's exclusivity is reported to extend until 2036 due to an unpublished convention established in 2016. Operations are under a tendered management contract instead of a formal licensing framework. Unauthorised gambling and lottery activities are criminal offenses under articles 282 to 285 of the penal code.
To combat offshore betting, MDJS has sought legal action. On January 12, the Casablanca commercial court ordered Maroc Telecom, Orange Maroc, and Inwi to block access to 19 specific betting sites and local payment intermediaries, imposing daily penalties of MAD10,000 for non-compliance. However, this ruling was short-lived; the commercial court of appeal issued a stay on January 26 and ultimately annulled the order on February 12, ending the daily fines. MDJS retains the option of appealing this decision.
The urgency for such action is underscored by MDJS Director General Younes El Mechrafi's remarks during a parliamentary sports forum in December, where he indicated that illegal sports betting volumes could reach around MAD3.5 billion in 2024, costing the state approximately MAD700 million, which affects both the national sports development fund and the Treasury.
In Tunisia, the framework governing gambling is rooted in Decree-Law 74-20 from October 1974. The only approved channel for sports betting is through the state-owned Promosport, while pari-mutuel horse race betting is managed by the Agence Tunisienne de Solidarité. Currently, the parliament is evaluating two competing proposals regarding online gambling, but neither has effectively established a licensing framework.
A bill introduced by 23 deputies on January 20 aimed to amend the 1974 decree to prohibit online gambling and mandate that internet and payment providers block it. MP Yasser Gourari, a bill advocate, described online gambling as a "social scourge", highlighting the severe personal consequences faced by individuals who suffer financial hardships due to gambling. This bill has stalled after a single committee discussion on February 3.
Additionally, the government is drafting its own proposal to address the sector. Sports Minister Sadok Mourali mentioned in November 2024 that a consultation version of a gambling and sports betting bill had been disseminated to 26 public entities, including the central bank and financial intelligence authorities. A year later, he noted that the draft had undergone a complete revision to align with international standards concerning sports betting integrity.
In Egypt, gambling laws primarily apply to physical venues, with Law 8 of 2022 stipulating that "gambling games may not be practiced in establishments except by non-Egyptians." There is currently no licensing framework for online betting. In October 2024, the then-prosecutor general ordered the suspension of e-wallets and the blocking of mobile lines connected to betting agents. By February, officials aimed to collaboratively block around 80% of betting apps with telecom authorities by the end of the month.
Ahmed Badawi, chair of the House communications committee, indicated in May that the government intended to revise the anti-cybercrime law to include online betting explicitly, with discussions around potential life sentences for the most serious infractions. Meanwhile, a separate private member's bill introduced in January 2025 proposed severe penalties for those facilitating online betting, although it has not advanced.
The Egyptian parliament concluded its session on July 22, passing 162 laws—none of which addressed betting issues. Reports from the media noted that electronic betting remained among unresolved committee topics as of August 17.
Across North Africa, the absence of avenues for licensing private online betting remains a pressing issue. Morocco maintains a state monopoly vigorously defending its exclusivity through legal avenues, while Tunisia grapples with competing regulatory proposals, neither making tangible progress. Egypt has implemented a strategy focused on enforcement rather than regulation.
The stark contrast in governance between land-based and online gambling is evident. Casinos in both Morocco and Egypt operate under established frameworks that facilitate international investments while online betting continues to exist outside the regulated market. The scale of unlicensed online gambling remains ambiguous, with MDJS estimating annual illegal stakes at approximately MAD3.5 billion, the only public figure available. No comparative estimates exist for Tunisia or Egypt. Without legitimate licensing options, these markets face challenges in measurement, taxation, and oversight as governments struggle to suppress offshore betting instead of integrating it into regulated systems.
