Ethiopian Lottery Service Issues Fraud Alert Amid Continued Sports Betting Shutdown
The Ethiopian Lottery Service (ELS) has issued a public notice warning citizens about a rise in fraudulent advertisements and messages claiming individuals have won prizes through sports betting.
The regulator clarified that it currently has no affiliation with any sports betting operations, as the entire sector remains legally shut down following a nationwide crackdown in late 2025.
Fraudsters are reportedly using social media, phone calls, and text messages to inform victims they have won significant lottery or sports betting prizes. To release these supposed winnings, the scammers demand that individuals pay upfront fees or provide sensitive banking and personal information. The ELS emphasized that it does not conduct prize draws through sports betting or online promotions and warned the public not to send money to any unverified entities.
To help the public distinguish between legitimate communication and scams, the Service highlighted that its only official SMS short code is 9695. Any announcements regarding prizes or lottery activities should only be trusted if they originate from this code or the Service’s authorized social media channels. Citizens who encounter these fraudulent schemes are urged to report them to the appropriate authorities immediately.
Read Also: Ethiopia Cracks Down on Non-Compliant Betting Operators to Strengthen Industry Integrity
The current wave of fraud exploits a regulatory vacuum created when Ethiopia suspended the licenses of 22 sports betting companies on December 4, 2025. By December 15, 2025, the regulator revoked the licenses of all operators nationwide following an assessment that uncovered tax evasion exceeding ETB 100 billion, illegal financial transactions, and risks to national security.
Despite the total shutdown of the licensed industry, industry observers note that betting activity has largely shifted to unlicensed, informal platforms operating outside the regulated payment system. Hence, ELS reiterated in its latest statement that no platform currently holds legal authorization to provide sports betting services in Ethiopia.
About the Ethiopian Lottery Service
Established in 1954EC (Ethiopian Calendar) as the country’s first autonomous state lottery, the ELS was created to generate government revenue and manage gaming as a state monopoly. With over 60 years of experience, the Service is mandated to collect commission and license fees while ensuring the financial security and legality of the gaming industry.
