Egypt is one of the oldest countries in the world, with a rich culture and history. Home to the famous pyramids, modern Egypt dates back to 1922. Its independence from the British Empire led to a monarchy. It later became a republic after the 1952 revolution. Football is the most popular sport in the country, with millions of fans. Arguably, Al Ahly and Zamalek SC are the biggest teams in the Egyptian Premier League. Egypt is the home country of some brilliant players like Liverpool’s Mo Salah and Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny.
Gambling is allowed domestically at land-based casinos, but Egyptian citizens are not allowed to participate. Only lotteries are available to Egyptian players, with some sports betting also on offer at specific points of sale. There is no law framework covering online gambling; so there aren’t any particular restrictions when it comes to online sports betting in Egypt. Hence, locals place their bets online; since there’s a wide selection of betting sites in Egypt, like Melbet and 888sport.
Top Sports Betting Sites in Egypt
We’ve checked all the betting sites that are available in Egypt and present you with the ones with the best odds on the Egyptian Premier League. In addition, they offer a great variety of markets and promotions.
Betting in Egypt - 5 Things to Know
- 1 There are many casinos accessible only to foreigners/tourists
- 2 There’s no specific law on online gambling
- 3 Quite a few land-based betting shops offer betting pools
- 4 Lottery and sports betting are the only gambling activities available to locals
- 5 Licensed land-based casinos in the country are taxed up to 50%
General info
⏩Population: 100.075.000
⏩Active players: 13.000.000
⏩Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)
⏩Regulated gambling products: Casino games, betting pools, lotteries
⏩Operator types: Land-based casinos (only for tourists), betting shops, lotteries
⏩Designated authority: No designated gambling authority
⏩Status: Unregulated
Sports Betting in Egypt: The Law Framework
Gambling in Egypt mainly consists of lotteries and some betting pools that specific betting shops offer. The casinos which operate in the country are only open to tourists or foreigners, as laws prevent locals from entering. Also, land-based casinos face taxation of up to a massive 50% of their earnings.
When it comes to laws around gambling; the only reference is in the Penal Code of 1937. Individuals organizing gambling activities could face fines and detention. However, there is no specific reference on online gambling; nor on players, and there aren’t any restrictions or penalties regarding them.
In the absence of laws to regulate the online gambling environment, players are practically free to bet at any international bookmaker they want. The only way the Egyptian authorities try to stop bettors from wagering on international sportsbooks is through internet censorship.
Nonetheless, there’s no blacklist in place. Moreover, there is no licensing procedure in place either. As a result, there aren’t any Egypt sports betting sites officially operating at the moment. So, if you are a local looking for variety on your betting options, stick to online bookies.
Essential Information for Egyptian Bettors
Players in Egypt get to enjoy all the winnings from betting. There’s no tax on sports betting since there are no regulations in place. There’s only a tax on lottery winnings. Avoid any land-based betting shop that is not running officially.
Also, keep in mind that there is no legal mechanism to prevent bettors from Egypt from wagering at offshore bookmakers. Even so, since the Egyptian government is known for its monitoring and censorship practices, it’s better to use a VPN. This way you will ensure the safety and anonymity of your online betting activity.
How to Deposit at Online Bookies
Mobiamo and OneCard are both locally popular payment methods. Unfortunately, none of them can be used for online gambling. The best option to top-up your online betting account is e-wallets. Skrill, Neteller and ecoPayz betting sites all offer their services in Egypt.
Since credit cards and bank transfers can be easily traced, these e-wallets offer anonymity and security. Of course, cryptocurrencies are also a great alternative. Even though they were deemed unlawful by the Grand Mufti Shawki Allam back in 2018, they are still preferred by many players. Therefore, if the bookmaker you choose accepts crypto, go for it.
Gambling Laws in Neighbouring Countries
⏩ Libya: Gambling is strictly prohibited in the nation, but a thriving black market has emerged over the course of the last decades. This applies to both local establishments and online operators. Locals can access the best betting sites in Libya because authorities show limited interest in pursuing offenders.
⏩ Israel: Israel has imposed strict regulations on gambling. While some software providers and online bookmakers are based there, the government prohibits gambling activities beyond those offered by the state-run operators. In terms of the online scene, there is currently no legal framework in place. Consequently, many players navigate towards international Israel betting sites.
⏩ Lebanon: There are two legal options for gambling. The Casino du Liban, which reopened in 1996, offers a legal venue. Secondly, the state-run lottery games by La Libanaise Des Jeux, Play Lebanon, and Lebanon Lotto are also permitted. Other forms are prohibited, but there is no specific law or active authority and no betting sites in Lebanon that have obtained a local license.
The Future of Gambling in Egypt
Egypt is a developing African country and one of the few where internet penetration is above 50%. Even so, it is still far from being a safe environment for online gambling. The idea of increasing the state’s current gambling earnings of $200 million up to 300%; by allowing online bookmakers and casinos to operate in the country legally, is certainly appealing.
However, the truth is that we won’t see any radical changes anytime soon. While the few land-based betting options portray a step forward for Egypt; they are not enough to quench the locals’ betting thirst. Online gambling will seemingly remain the only quality option for Egyptians who seek variety and trustworthiness.
There is no law framework around online betting in Egypt. So, when you’re coming across reputable international bookmakers; stick to the ones you are familiar with. Namely, on big brands, like Pinnacle, and enjoy a safe betting experience.
Bet365 is one of the biggest international bookmakers that accept Egyptian bettors, despite the fact that it doesn’t hold a local license, since there aren’t any. Still, it’s one of the most reputable online bookies in the country.
There is no specific law banning it. Some betting is even allowed at land-based premises. The authorities seem quite relaxed concerning the online environment; therefore, you shall face no problems.
1xBet is a renowned international bookie that welcomes players from Egypt, offering Arabic as a language and betting in the local currency too. It comes with a wide array of markets, high odds and promotions on a daily basis.
Taxation only applies to winnings deriving from lotteries. Hence, when wagering online on popular international betting sites that accept players that reside in Egypt, no tax will be imposed on your winnings.
With so many international online bookies to choose from, Betway is yet another option. However, we would rather recommend Bet365, for a wider variety of betting options and for the great offers they provide.