Ethiopia Cracks Down on Non-Compliant Betting Operators to Strengthen Industry Integrity
Ethiopian authorities have taken decisive action against the country’s burgeoning sports-betting sector, suspending licenses of 22 operators found to be in violation of regulatory requirements. The move is part of a broader effort to improve transparency, safeguard consumer interests, and ensure government revenues are properly collected.
Authorities indicated that these breaches may have allowed the concealment of earnings exceeding Br100 billion (€1.59 billion), prompting the move to enhance transparency, protect players, and promote a legitimate and thriving gambling market in Ethiopia.
“The Ethiopian Lottery Service announces that the sports betting licences of 22 sports betting organisations have been suspended effective November 25, pursuant to Article 14/2/C/ of Proclamation No. 535/1999 and Sports Betting Lottery Licensing Directive No. 172/2013,” said ELS in a press release.
Authorities also detained 24 individuals connected to the suspected financial irregularities. The detained included company executives and affiliates of the affected betting firms. Coordination among the National Intelligence and Security Service, Financial Security Service, and Federal Police was critical to the enforcement, with operations conducted in Addis Ababa and other major cities.
Read Also: Revocation of Licenses for All Sports Betting Organizations
Many of the targeted operators were found to be operating without physical offices, using foreign-hosted platforms, or continuing activities despite previous licence revocations. These practices, regulators said, pose significant risks to consumers and compromise the integrity of Ethiopia’s gambling market.
The ELS added: “It is known that the owners and accomplices of sports betting organisations suspected of hiding more than 100 billion birr which should have been government revenue, have been apprehended through the collaboration of the National Intelligence and Security Service, the Financial Security Service, the Ethiopian Federal Police, security bodies of the Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa city administrations and the public.”
Officials emphasize that the crackdown is not solely punitive but aimed at reinforcing responsible practices across the sector. By ensuring operators meet strict licensing requirements, the government hopes to create a more transparent market that protects players, promotes fair competition, and maximizes tax contributions.
