Ethiopa shuts down sports betting industry in staggering development
Ethiopa has taken unprecedented action in revoking all sports betting licenses, essentially shutting down the industry, leaving operators and bettors in the lurch.
The Ethiopian government has ordered the withdrawal of every sports betting licence in the country, effective December 15, 2025, following directives issued to the Ethiopian Lottery Service.
The move applies to all sports betting, including those already suspended, and results in an immediate halt to both land-based and online betting activity nationwide.
Authorities said the decision followed a national assessment of betting and financial sector activities, which uncovered widespread violations. Investigations identified unlicensed gambling operators working alongside licensed firms, as well as evidence of tax evasion, illicit fund transfers and financial manipulation. Officials cited serious breaches of licensing rules and concerns over public interest, national security and financial integrity.
Under the directive, operators must cease accepting bets, shut down payment channels and stop all technical operations. Financial institutions have been instructed to block transactions linked to betting sites, with penalties threatened for non-compliance. Ethiopan gambling operators have also been ordered to preserve all betting, financial and user data for investigators.
The crackdown follows earlier enforcement action on December 4, when 22 betting licences were suspended after intelligence reports alleged embezzlement, illegal financial flows and links to criminal networks. Authorities say further legal action may follow.
Ethiopan lawmakers had already made news this week by accusing BetPawa, a prominent betting brand in Africa, of advertising their product ahead of a launch in the country, despite not yet having their license to operate.
