Lottomatica's announcement on September 2 regarding its acquisition of Cirsa marks a significant change in the gambling landscape, consolidating four Moroccan casinos under one of Europe's largest gambling entities. In the context of Cirsa’s operations, Morocco contributes approximately 2% of its total revenue and 4% of earnings.
Remarkably, neither Lottomatica nor Cirsa has expressed intentions to apply for an online betting license in North Africa, despite the implications of this merger for Morocco’s gambling market. Land-based gambling in the region has attracted foreign investment, with Cirsa’s expansion into Marrakech last November exemplifying this trend, whereas the online betting market lacks a similar framework for private operators.
Cirsa’s IPO prospectus bluntly states, "Online gaming only exists for betting, which is operated by a state agency," further emphasizing that online casino games are prohibited in Morocco.
The regulatory situation is similar in Tunisia and Egypt, where governments have largely focused on prohibition and maintaining strict control over gambling activities rather than creating opportunities for private online operators.
In Morocco, sports betting, alongside online and virtual betting, is exclusively managed by the state-owned Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports (MDJS). The company is 90% state-owned and is headed by the sports minister. Its exclusive rights reportedly extend until 2036 due to an unpublished convention from 2016, and the operations are run under a management contract instead of a formal licensing arrangement. Unlicensed gambling is strictly outlawed, classified as a criminal offense under articles 282 to 285 of the penal code.
MDJS has resorted to legal action to combat offshore betting. In a ruling on January 12, the Casablanca commercial court ordered Maroc Telecom, Orange Maroc, and Inwi to block access to 19 specified betting sites, along with local payment services connected to these sites, with penalties for non-compliance set at MAD10,000 daily. However, this ruling was not long-lasting; an appeal court stayed the order on January 26, subsequently annulled it, and dismissed MDJS's claims as of February 12, erasing the monetary penalties.
The court proceedings coincided with MDJS’s warnings about the financial repercussions of illicit betting. At a parliamentary sports forum in December, MDJS Director General Younes El Mechrafi highlighted that illegal sports betting stakes were around MAD3.5 billion for 2024, which he estimated cost the state about MAD700 million, affecting both the national sports development fund and the Treasury.
In Tunisia, gambling laws date back to Decree-Law 74-20 from October 1974, with the state company Promosport as the sole legal provider of sports betting. The government is currently weighing two differing approaches to legalize online gambling, yet neither has formulated a proper licensing framework.
A private members’ bill introduced on January 20, 2026, by 23 deputies suggests amending the 1974 decree to outlaw all forms of online gambling and mandate internet and payment service providers to block such activities. MP Yasser Gourari characterized online betting as a "social scourge," citing severe personal consequences for those facing financial adversity due to gambling. The proposed penalties include fines ranging from 10,000 to 500,000 dinars and prison terms of one to five years for offenders. The bill, however, has stalled in committee after an initial meeting.
Conversely, Tunisia’s government is considering implementing its own gambling and sports betting bill, which aims to align with international standards regarding betting integrity and money laundering. Sports Minister Sadok Mourali revealed in November 2024 that consultations on this legislation occurred with 26 state institutions. The specifics of the draft remain undisclosed, leaving it uncertain whether it would permit licenses for private enterprises or simply enhance Promosport's existing monopoly.
In Egypt, gambling laws have been tailored for traditional venues. Law 8 of 2022 enforces that gambling operations be reserved for non-Egyptians, and there is no existing license framework for online betting. In October 2024, the prosecutor-general initiated actions to freeze e-wallets and suspend mobile services utilized by betting agents. Regulatory bodies aimed to block 80% of online betting applications by the end of February, with the House communications committee discussing potential amendments to the anti-cybercrime law to explicitly reference online betting and propose severe penalties for violations.
Despite a push from MP Martha Mahrous, whose proposed bill on January 2025 included prison terms and substantial fines, tangible progress has not been made to establish regulations governing online betting. Parliament concluded its session on July 22 without addressing gambling legislation, and as of August 17 discussions surrounding electronic betting remain on hold.
Thus far, Egypt has not established a framework for licensing private online betting, opting instead for stringent enforcement measures.
The pattern evident across North Africa reveals a persistent licensing gap regarding online betting. Each country—Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt—has arrived at this situation through various mechanisms. While Morocco defends its state monopoly through legal channels, Tunisia grapples with conflicting legislative approaches, and Egypt escalates enforcement in lieu of creating regulatory avenues.
The stark difference between land-based and online gambling remains apparent. Land-based casinos in Morocco and Egypt operate within regulated frameworks, attracting international investment, while private online betting remains unregulated and largely concealed from governmental oversight. The true scope of the unlicensed betting market is difficult to gauge, with MDJS offering its estimate of MAD3.5 billion annually as the sole figure available, leaving Tunisia and Egypt without public assessments. Without a licensing process, these markets are challenging to monitor, regulate, or tax, as governments resort to blocking and criminalization tactics that fail to meet legitimate demand.
