Is online gambling legal in Egypt?

No. There is no online licence. Betting on any game or sport, in any form, is an offence under Law No. 10 of 1922, Penal Code art. 352 punishes gambling places, and the only lawful casino gaming is for non-Egyptians in designated tourist establishments.

Can Egyptians gamble in Egyptian casinos?

No. Art. 24 of the Hotel and Tourist Establishments Law restricts gambling games in establishments to non-Egyptians. MENAFATF found that casinos admit only foreigners or Egyptians holding a foreign nationality, checking passports.

How many casinos operate in Egypt?

MENAFATF counted 24 casinos at the end of 2019. No more recent official count was found.

How are casinos taxed in Egypt?

Through a royalty on gambling revenues set by ministerial decision under art. 24 of Law No. 8 of 2022, capped by statute at half of gambling revenues. The current rate is not published.

Is it an offence to place a bet?

Yes. A person who bets with a bookmaker faces up to 15 days in prison and a fine of EGP 10 to 50 under Law No. 10 of 1922, art. 2. Bookmakers and intermediaries face one to three years and EGP 300 to 1,000.

The chair of the House communications committee says amendments to the Cybercrime Law, No. 175 of 2018, prepared with the executive, would punish running or promoting betting apps with up to seven years in prison. No text had been published at review.

Sovereign state

Africa

ISO EG

Egypt: gambling regulation and licensing

Online casinoProhibited
Online sports bettingProhibited
Online pokerProhibited
Horse race bettingProhibited
iLotteryNot yet verified
Land-based (reference)Regulated

Regulator: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Headline tax: Not yet verified
Licence required: Yes
Last verified: 23 Sept 2026

Summary

Egypt permits gambling in one narrow form: casino games played by non-Egyptians in hotel and tourist establishments designated by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Article 24 of the Hotel and Tourist Establishments Law, issued by Law No. 8 of 2022, confines gambling in establishments to non-Egyptians under a ministerial decision that names the premises and fixes a royalty of up to half of gambling revenues. MENAFATF counted 24 casinos at the end of 2019, supervised for anti-money laundering purposes by the Ministry of Tourism. Outside that exception the law is prohibitive. Penal Code article 352 punishes anyone who keeps a place for gambling games; Law No. 10 of 1922 makes it an offence to offer or take bets on horse races or any other game or sport, in any form, and also punishes the bettor; and the Civil Code voids gambling and betting contracts. Lotteries need a licence from the ministry responsible for social affairs under Law No. 93 of 1973. There is no licence for online casino, sports betting or poker, and no gaming tax other than the casino royalty, whose current rate is not published. Enforcement against offshore betting is rising: the Ministry of Interior has arrested a local agent who moved bettors' money through e-wallets, and in May 2026 the chair of the House communications committee said more than 70 betting sites and apps had been blocked. He also said his committee had prepared, with the executive, amendments to the Cybercrime Law, No. 175 of 2018, under which running or promoting betting apps would carry up to seven years in prison. No text had been published by late June 2026, and none was found at review.

Common pitfalls

Assuming the casino royalty is 50%: the statute sets 50% as a ceiling and the minister's decision fixes the actual rate. Treating hotel casinos as evidence of a domestic market: Egyptian nationals are barred by statute. Citing Law No. 1 of 1973: it was repealed in 2022. Assuming online betting is unregulated rather than illegal: Law No. 10 of 1922 already covers bets on any game or sport in any form, and punishes the bettor too.

Key facts

Regulator: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA)
Regulator type: Government ministry
Headline tax: Not yet verified
Licence required: Yes
Minimum age: Not yet verified
Tax base: No gaming duty applies. Casinos pay a royalty on gambling revenues fixed by the ministerial decision under art. 24 of Law No. 8 of 2022, capped by statute at half of gambling revenues; the current rate is not published. Licence transfers carry a fee of EGP 10,000 to 2,000,000 (art. 25).

Legal framework

Primary statutes

Law No. 8 of 2022 issuing the Hotel and Tourist Establishments Law
قانون رقم 8 لسنة 2022 بشأن إصدار قانون المنشآت الفندقية والسياحية
Year
2022
In force
Yes
Summary
Published 6 March 2022 and in force the next day, repealing Law No. 1 of 1973; decisions made under the old law continue until replaced (issuing art. 5). Art. 24: gambling games may be played in establishments only by non-Egyptians, under conditions set by decision of the competent minister, which must name the establishments where gambling is permitted and the royalty due, not exceeding half of gambling revenues. Art. 38: breach of art. 24 is punished by a fine of EGP 50,000 to 500,000, and on repetition by six months to one year in prison and double the fine, or either. Art. 41: the responsible manager is liable and the legal person jointly liable for fines and damages. Art. 43: the minister may close an establishment for breach of art. 24, and without prior warning for gambling in breach of the law. Art. 25: transfer of an establishment licence costs EGP 10,000 to 2,000,000.
Penal Code (Law No. 58 of 1937), article 352, as substituted by Law No. 17 of 1955
قانون العقوبات، المادة 352
Year
1955
In force
Yes
Summary
Anyone who prepares a place for gambling games and makes it ready for the public to enter is punished, together with the cashiers of that place, by imprisonment and a fine not exceeding EGP 1,000; all money and goods found where the games are played are seized and confiscated. The article targets the keeper and cashiers, not the player.
Law No. 10 of 1922 on betting on horse races, pigeon shooting and other games and sports, as amended by Law No. 135 of 1947
قانون رقم 10 لسنة 1922 عن المراهنة على سباق الخيل ورمي الحمام وغيرهما من أنواع الألعاب وأعمال الرياضة
Year
1922
In force
Yes
Summary
Art. 1, as substituted in 1947: one to three years in prison and a fine of EGP 300 to 1,000 for anyone who offers, gives or takes a bet on horse races, pigeon shooting or any other game or sport, anywhere and in any form, directly or through an intermediary; for anyone who exploits such betting or acts as an intermediary; and for anyone who hides money or tools used in it. On repetition the court may go up to double the maximum, and stakes and equipment are confiscated. Art. 2: the owner or manager of a public place who allows such bets faces the same penalties and closure of three to six months, permanent on a repeat within three years; a person who bets with a bookmaker faces up to 15 days in prison and a fine of EGP 10 to 50, or either. Arts. 4 and 5: racing societies, associations and individuals who organise games or sports may run pari-mutuel or other betting under a special ministerial permit that may earmark part of the profits for horse breeding, sport or charity.
Law No. 93 of 1973 on the lottery system
قانون رقم 93 لسنة 1973 بنظام اليانصيب
Year
1973
In force
Yes
Summary
Defines a lottery as any operation offered to the public, under any name and for any purpose, with prizes in cash or kind won by chance alone (art. 1). The Ministry of Social Affairs licenses lotteries of every kind, except where special laws grant the right to other bodies, and must be represented at draws (art. 2); no one may offer, sell or distribute tickets without its licence (art. 4). Issuing a lottery to the public without a licence is punished by imprisonment and a fine of up to EGP 1,000, or either, with closure of the premises for up to three months (art. 6). Repealed Law No. 10 of 1905 and took effect six months after publication.
Civil Code (Law No. 131 of 1948), articles 739 and 740
القانون المدني، المادتان 739 و740
Year
1948
In force
Yes
Summary
Issued 16 July 1948, in force from 15 October 1949. Every agreement relating to gambling or betting is void, and a loser may recover what he paid within three years, notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary (art. 739). Excepted are bets between competitors personally taking part in sporting games, which the judge may reduce if excessive, and lotteries licensed by law (art. 740).

Secondary instruments

Ministerial decision under article 24 of the Hotel and Tourist Establishments Law (establishments where gambling is permitted; royalty rate)
In force
Yes
Summary
Required by art. 24 of Law No. 8 of 2022; not published on an official host and not retrieved. The statute caps the royalty at half of gambling revenues.
Law No. 175 of 2018 on combating information technology crimes, article 7
قانون رقم 175 لسنة 2018 في شأن مكافحة جرائم تقنية المعلومات
Year
2018
In force
Yes
Summary
Lets the investigating authority order the blocking of a site broadcasting from inside or outside Egypt whose content is a crime under this law and threatens national security or the economy; the order goes to the competent court within 24 hours, which rules within 72 hours. In urgent cases investigators may have the NTRA instruct service providers to block temporarily. Gambling is not among the offences the law defines, which is what the proposed amendments would change.
Presidential Decree No. 934 of 1962
Year
1962
In force
Yes
Summary
Transferred the Minister of the Interior's competence under Law No. 10 of 1922, including the grant of betting permits, to the Minister of Local Administration.

Key amendments

28 Jul 1947Law No. 135 of 1947 raises the penalties in Law No. 10 of 1922 to one to three years and EGP 300 to 1,000 for bookmakers and adds a penalty for the bettor.
13 Jan 1955Law No. 17 of 1955 substitutes Penal Code art. 352 on gambling places, and Law No. 18 of 1955 cancels the gambling licences previously granted to public places and clubs.
23 Feb 1974Law No. 93 of 1973 on the lottery system takes effect, repealing Law No. 10 of 1905.
7 Mar 2022Law No. 8 of 2022 replaces Law No. 1 of 1973 as the basis for casino gaming in licensed hotel and tourist establishments, keeping the non-Egyptians-only rule and the royalty of up to half of gambling revenues and adding fines of EGP 50,000 to 500,000.

Pending legislation

Amendments to the Cybercrime Law, No. 175 of 2018, on online betting
Stage
Announced by the chair of the House communications committee; prepared with the executive but not tabled or published as of late June 2026, and no text was found at review
What it changes
Would name online betting applications as an offence. The committee chair said in May 2026 the penalties would reach seven years in prison and fines of up to EGP 500,000 for those running or promoting betting apps; trade press reported MPs speaking of life imprisonment in the most serious cases.
Private member's bill to criminalise electronic betting (MP Martha Mahrous)
Stage
Submitted January 2025; not debated by the full House
What it changes
Would punish operators, agents and payment facilitators of online betting, with penalties reported at up to five years in prison and fines of up to EGP 10 million.

Licensing

Licence required: Yes
Application window: Not yet verified
Local establishment required: Yes
Local server required: Not yet verified
Active licences: 24 (as of 31 Dec 2019)
Barriers to entry: There is no online licence of any kind. Casino gaming is an adjunct of a licensed hotel or tourist establishment designated by ministerial decision, closed to Egyptian nationals, with a royalty the minister may set as high as half of gambling revenues. Betting on sport needs a special ministerial permit available only to organisers of races and games, and lotteries need a social affairs licence. MENAFATF counted 24 casinos at the end of 2019 and noted that some banks refuse to deal with them.

Licence types

Tourism licence for a hotel or tourist establishment with gambling permitted under article 24
Scope
Licence from the Ministry of Tourism for the establishment, plus designation by ministerial decision as premises where non-Egyptians may play gambling games; royalty on gambling revenues set by the same decision, capped at 50%.
Fee basis
Royalty of up to half of gambling revenues; transfer of the establishment licence EGP 10,000 to 2,000,000 (art. 25)
Lottery licence
Scope
Licence from the ministry responsible for social affairs to issue a lottery of any kind or purpose, and a separate licence to offer, sell or distribute tickets. The Fund for Aid to Associations and Private Foundations may issue lottery tickets itself.
Special permit for betting on horse races and sports
Scope
Racing societies, associations and individuals organising games or sports may be permitted to run pari-mutuel or other betting, at a place set by the permit, which may earmark part of the profits for horse breeding, sport or charity. The minister may refuse it or limit it to pari-mutuel.
Term
Set by the permit

Taxation

Headline GGR tax: Not yet verified
Effective date: Not yet verified
Tax base: No gaming duty applies. Casinos pay a royalty on gambling revenues fixed by the ministerial decision under art. 24 of Law No. 8 of 2022, capped by statute at half of gambling revenues; the current rate is not published. Licence transfers carry a fee of EGP 10,000 to 2,000,000 (art. 25).

Earmarked levies

Share of horse-race betting profits (Horse breeding, physical education, local charities or social works, as the permit specifies (Law No. 10 of 1922, art. 5))
Proceeds of lotteries issued by the Fund for Aid to Associations (Fund for Aid to Associations and Private Foundations (Law No. 93 of 1973, art. 3))

Compliance

Minimum age: Not yet verified
National self-exclusion: Not yet verified
AML regime: Anti-Money Laundering Law No. 80 of 2002. Casinos are designated non-financial businesses; the 2021 MENAFATF evaluation rated the sector moderate to high risk and found almost no suspicious transaction reporting and no threshold on cash transactions inside casinos.
AML supervisor: Ministry of Tourism (casinos); the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Combating Unit (EMLCU) is the financial intelligence unit
KYC requirements: Nationality-based: gambling games in establishments are for non-Egyptians only (Law No. 8 of 2022, art. 24). MENAFATF found that casinos deal only with foreigners or Egyptians holding a foreign nationality and that their customer due diligence consists of passport checks.
Stake limits: Not yet verified
Reporting obligations: Establishments must supply data and information to the ministry and judicial officers on demand, and refusal is a ground for administrative closure (Law No. 8 of 2022, art. 43(5)). Hotel establishments send a monthly guest statement to the ministry matching the daily lists sent to the tourism police (art. 22).

Advertising

Advertising permitted: Not yet verified

Restrictions

No statute specific to gambling advertising was found. There is no lawful online product to advertise.
The Supreme Council for Media Regulation treats betting promotion on television as a violation: on 4 April 2019 it opened an investigation into betting advertisements shown in a football programme on Al-Hadath Al-Youm, after its sports media committee recommended stopping the promotion of the betting company and summoning the channel head and presenter.
On 17 September 2026 the Supreme Council discussed recommendations from its youth and sports media committees on the harm of betting sites to young people and ways to combat them.

Payments

Credit card ban: Not yet verified
Crypto stance: Not yet verified
Payment blocking regime: No statutory duty on banks to block gambling payments was found. MENAFATF reported in 2021 that controls on new financial technology products are meant to keep them from being used for lottery and gambling websites, and that most banks it met refuse to open relationships with casinos or accept cash deposits from casino customers. In March 2026 the Ministry of Interior arrested a local agent of a betting app who moved bettors' money through e-wallets.

Enforcement

ISP blocking: Yes
DNS blocking: Not yet verified
Payment blocking: Not yet verified
App store takedowns: Yes
Administrative penalties: Administrative closure of a tourist establishment by reasoned ministerial decision, without prior warning where gambling is played in breach of the law (Law No. 8 of 2022, art. 43), and cancellation of the establishment licence (art. 44).
Criminal penalties: Keeping a place for gambling games: imprisonment and a fine of up to EGP 1,000, with confiscation (Penal Code art. 352). Taking or brokering bets on races, games or sports: one to three years and EGP 300 to 1,000, doubled at most on repetition (Law No. 10 of 1922, art. 1). Unlicensed lottery: imprisonment and a fine of up to EGP 1,000, or either (Law No. 93 of 1973, art. 6). Breach of the non-Egyptians-only casino rule: EGP 50,000 to 500,000, and six months to a year plus double the fine on repetition (Law No. 8 of 2022, art. 38).
Operator liability: Keepers and cashiers of gambling places (Penal Code art. 352); bookmakers, intermediaries and owners or managers of public places that allow betting, who also face closure of the premises (Law No. 10 of 1922, arts. 1 and 2); the responsible manager of a tourist establishment personally, with the company jointly liable (Law No. 8 of 2022, art. 41).
Player liability: Yes, for betting: a person who bets with a bookmaker faces up to 15 days in prison and a fine of EGP 10 to 50, or either (Law No. 10 of 1922, art. 2, as substituted in 1947). Penal Code art. 352 does not punish the player.

Notable actions

Al-Hadath Al-Youm channel, over betting advertisements in a football programme4 Apr 2019
The Supreme Council for Media Regulation formed a committee to investigate, which was to consider its sports media committee's recommendation to stop the promotion and summon the channel head and the presenter.
A local agent of an online betting app and two associates in Assiut19 Mar 2026
Arrested by the Ministry of Interior for managing bettors' deposits and withdrawals through e-wallets for commission; phones, 152 SIM cards, e-wallets and crypto accounts were seized.
Online betting sites and apps14 May 2026
The chair of the House communications committee said more than 70 betting sites and apps had been blocked in recent weeks in coordination with the NTRA and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation.

Timeline

6 Apr 1922
Law No. 10 of 1922 on betting on horse races and other games and sports published
28 Jul 1947
Law No. 135 of 1947 raises the betting penalties and adds a penalty for bettors
13 Jan 1955
Penal Code art. 352 substituted by Law No. 17 of 1955; Law No. 18 of 1955 cancels the gambling licences of public places and clubs
15 Mar 1962
Presidential Decree No. 934 of 1962 transfers betting permits to the Minister of Local Administration
23 Aug 1973
Law No. 93 of 1973 on the lottery system published
14 Aug 2018
Cybercrime Law No. 175 of 2018 published, with a court-supervised website blocking procedure
4 Apr 2019
Supreme Council for Media Regulation investigates betting advertisements on Al-Hadath Al-Youm
31 Jul 2021
MENAFATF publishes its mutual evaluation, adopted in May 2021, which counts 24 casinos and rates the sector moderate to high risk
6 Mar 2022
Law No. 8 of 2022 issuing the Hotel and Tourist Establishments Law published; in force the next day, repealing Law No. 1 of 1973
18 Jan 2025
Text of MP Martha Mahrous's bill to criminalise electronic betting published
19 Mar 2026
Ministry of Interior arrests a local betting app agent and two associates in Assiut
14 May 2026
House communications committee chair says more than 70 betting sites and apps have been blocked and Cybercrime Law amendments are ready
21 Jun 2026
Committee chair says the Cybercrime Law amendments will come within weeks
17 Sept 2026
Supreme Council for Media Regulation discusses measures against betting sites

Outlook

The main item is the promised amendment of the Cybercrime Law, No. 175 of 2018, to name online betting as an offence. The chair of the House communications committee said in May 2026 that the committee had finished preparing the text and in June that the amendments would come in the following weeks, but none had been tabled by late June and none was found at review; watch for it in the next parliamentary session. Blocking of betting sites and apps by the NTRA and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation continues without a published list, and on 17 September 2026 the Supreme Council discussed measures against betting sites aimed at young people. Nothing in the pipeline would open a licensed market; the land-based casino model, and its royalty set by ministerial decision, is unchanged.

Frequently asked questions

Is online gambling legal in Egypt?: No. There is no online licence. Betting on any game or sport, in any form, is an offence under Law No. 10 of 1922, Penal Code art. 352 punishes gambling places, and the only lawful casino gaming is for non-Egyptians in designated tourist establishments.
Can Egyptians gamble in Egyptian casinos?: No. Art. 24 of the Hotel and Tourist Establishments Law restricts gambling games in establishments to non-Egyptians. MENAFATF found that casinos admit only foreigners or Egyptians holding a foreign nationality, checking passports.
How many casinos operate in Egypt?: MENAFATF counted 24 casinos at the end of 2019. No more recent official count was found.
How are casinos taxed in Egypt?: Through a royalty on gambling revenues set by ministerial decision under art. 24 of Law No. 8 of 2022, capped by statute at half of gambling revenues. The current rate is not published.
Is it an offence to place a bet?: Yes. A person who bets with a bookmaker faces up to 15 days in prison and a fine of EGP 10 to 50 under Law No. 10 of 1922, art. 2. Bookmakers and intermediaries face one to three years and EGP 300 to 1,000.
What is changing?: The chair of the House communications committee says amendments to the Cybercrime Law, No. 175 of 2018, prepared with the executive, would punish running or promoting betting apps with up to seven years in prison. No text had been published at review.

iGT coverage of Egypt

Cairo Cracks Down: Parliament Moves to Crush Offshore Betting App Loophole

Regulatory

9 Feb 2026

Cairo Cracks Down: Parliament Moves to Crush Offshore Betting App Loophole

Egypt initiates a legislative crackdown on unlicensed online betting apps, targeting major offshore operators like 1xBet to curb addiction and financial loss. The new draft law promises strict penalties for users and seeks to close the digital loopholes that have allowed the shadow gambling market to grow into a billion dollar industry.

Sources

Law No. 8 of 2022 issuing the Hotel and Tourist Establishments Law, Official Gazette No. 9 bis of 6 March 2022 (arts. 22 to 25, 36 to 44)
Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Arab Republic of Egypt (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 6 Mar 2022
Law No. 17 of 1955 substituting article 352 of the Penal Code (gambling games) and Law No. 18 of 1955 cancelling gambling licences of public places and clubs, al-Waqa'i al-Misriyya No. 4 bis (extraordinary) of 13 January 1955
Manshurat Qanuniya (legal publications archive), scan of the Official Gazette (translated)
Scan of the 1955 gazette page. Any later change to the level of the fine in article 352 was not checked.
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 13 Jan 1955
Law No. 131 of 1948 issuing the Civil Code, arts. 739 and 740 (gambling and betting)
Manshurat Qanuniya (legal publications archive) (translated)
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026
Law No. 10 of 1922 on betting on horse races, pigeon shooting and other games and sports, al-Waqa'i al-Misriyya No. 35 of 6 April 1922
Manshurat Qanuniya (legal publications archive), scan of the Official Gazette (translated)
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 6 Apr 1922
Law No. 135 of 1947 amending Law No. 10 of 1922 on betting on horse races and other games and sports, al-Waqa'i al-Misriyya No. 70 of 28 July 1947
Manshurat Qanuniya (legal publications archive), scan of the Official Gazette (translated)
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 28 Jul 1947
Presidential Decree No. 934 of 1962 transferring the competence under Law No. 10 of 1922 to the Minister of Local Administration (record)
Court of Cassation of Egypt (legislation index) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 15 Mar 1962
Law No. 93 of 1973 on the lottery system, Official Gazette No. 34 of 23 August 1973
Manshurat Qanuniya (legal publications archive), scan of the Official Gazette (translated)
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 23 Aug 1973
Law No. 93 of 1973 on the lottery system and repealing Law No. 10 of 1905 on lottery operations (record)
Court of Cassation of Egypt (legislation index) (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 23 Aug 1973
Law No. 175 of 2018 on combating information technology crimes, Official Gazette No. 32 bis (c) of 14 August 2018 (arts. 1 to 9)
National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) (translated)
Cited for the blocking procedure in art. 7, read from the gazette page image.
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 14 Aug 2018
Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures in the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mutual Evaluation Report
Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF)
Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 31 Jul 2021
The Supreme Council forms a committee to investigate betting advertisements on Al-Hadath Al-Youm channel
Supreme Council for Media Regulation (translated)
Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 4 Apr 2019
The Supreme Council for Media Regulation warns of the risks of betting sites to young people and discusses ways to combat them
Akhbar El Yom (translated)
Tier 3Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 17 Sept 2026
After 70 betting sites blocked, House communications committee: new amendments to the information technology law with penalties of up to 7 years
Sada El Balad (translated)
Reports a television interview with the committee chair. No official list of blocked sites or blocking orders was found.
Tier 3Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 14 May 2026
House communications committee: amendments to the information crimes law expected to tackle online betting
Al Nahar (Egypt) (translated)
Tier 3Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 21 Jun 2026
Egypt parliament moves to criminalise online betting
iGaming Business (iGB)
States that senior MPs say penalties could reach life imprisonment in the most serious cases; the committee chair was quoted in Egyptian press on 14 May 2026 as citing up to seven years and EGP 500,000. No official text had been published.
Tier 3Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 23 Jun 2026
Full text of a bill to criminalise electronic betting (Parlmany)
Youm7 (translated)
Tier 3Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 18 Jan 2025
Gang running an electronic betting app and taking citizens' money arrested
Al-Masry Al-Youm (translated)
Reports a Ministry of Interior statement; the statement itself was not retrieved from an official host.
Tier 3Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 19 Mar 2026