Ethiopia Targets 38 Betting Firms over Alleged Tax Evasion

The Ethiopian government has taken enforcement action against 38 betting firms accused of tax evasion, concealing revenue and facilitating illicit financial flows. The action was announced on 6 August 2026 as part of a broader government campaign against corruption, illegal economic activity and the alleged misuse of national resources.

According to the official statement from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s Government Communication Service (GCS), dated August 6, the firms allegedly concealed customer data to evade taxes, hide revenue and conduct illicit financial transactions. The government said the owners were taken into custody and their bank accounts frozen.

“Actions were taken against 38 betting enterprises that concealed customer data to evade taxes, hide revenue, and conduct illicit financial flows. Their owners were taken into custody, and the bank accounts of these illegal institutions were frozen,” the statement read.

Read Also: Ethiopia Cracks Down on Non-Compliant Betting Operators to Strengthen Industry Integrity

Government Communication Service Minister Enatalem Melese said the wider enforcement campaign targeted organised networks operating across Ethiopia’s business community, public institutions and government structures. These networks, not specifically the 38 betting firms alone, were accused of contributing to foreign-exchange shortages, inflation, contraband trade and artificial shortages of essential goods.

The announcement also detailed separate action against individuals allegedly involved in hawala transfers, black-market currency trading and fraud involving customer accounts at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. Seven cryptocurrency applications accused of providing cover for illegal transactions were also blocked. “Seven cryptocurrency applications that provided cover for illegal transactions were completely blocked from operating in the country. Legal accountability was also enforced against 29 export companies and individuals who failed to repatriate foreign currency earnings after exporting goods.”

The latest action follows an earlier regulatory crackdown in which the Ethiopia Lottery Service suspended the licences of 22 sports-betting operators amid an investigation into the alleged concealment of more than ETB100 billion in government revenue.