Investigators said they had uncovered a web of tax evasion, illegal financial transfers, and unlicensed operations — with funds allegedly funnelled through cryptocurrency and hawala services, and links claimed to terrorism financing and contraband networks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nDejene however stated that the NLA is currently reconsidering its taxation policy, taking into account the experiences of other countries in the region. Regarding taxation in the gaming sector, Dejene stated that the NLA only implements taxation policies set by the Ministry of Revenue. The timeline for new license issuance is unclear as of mid-2026. Any iGaming operator entering Ethiopia will need Telebirr integration as the primary payment method. Telebirr – Ethio Telecom's mobile money service – has become the dominant digital payment rail, with tens of millions of registered users.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The regulatory conversation appeared to be moving toward maturation, not collapse. The ELS made clear that the revocation did not erase operators’ obligations to their customers — existing liabilities, including customer balances and unsettled wagers, remained the operators’ legal responsibility. Banks, payment institutions, and mobile payment operators were ordered to block all betting-related transactions. The order applied without exception — online platforms, retail betting shops, agent networks, and even operators that had already been suspended.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Proof of an office location that meets NLA gaming physical location guidelinesc. By law, these businesses are strictly restricted to Ethiopians,” he stated. 4G is available in Addis Ababa; most of the country operates on 3G or below.<\/p>\n
They were patterns that had been building for years in a country where approximately 70% of the population is under 30. Some described borrowing money from relatives and online credit platforms to fund their gambling. In November 2025 — barely weeks before the shutdown — students quoted by Addis Standard described gambling as having taken over their daily lives.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Playson strengthens South African presence through World Sports Betting partnership<\/h2>\n
The concerns about financial crime and money laundering are legitimate and must be addressed through strict licensing conditions, AML requirements, and enforcement mechanisms. A responsible resolution would require the Ethiopian government to articulate — and quickly — whether it intends to rebuild a regulated domestic betting market, and if so, on what timeline and under what framework. The game was announced and released in early 2025, before the shutdown, and remains part of the broader offshore offering available to Ethiopian players through unregulated platforms. Offshore betting sites actively competing for Ethiopian players are openly advertising in the country today.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Can I deposit with Telebirr at betting sites?<\/h4>\n
Material regulator actions, court rulings, and high-profile fines from 2016–2026 against operators serving Ethiopia. The regulator, in coordination with national security and federal police, showed a zero-tolerance policy by shutting down the entire licensed sector, freezing assets, and starting criminal proceedings. The National Lottery Administration historically held the authority to revoke permits for breaches, with the ultimate enforcement action being the nationwide revocation of all licenses in 2025. Consequently, there are no active regulations concerning player bonuses or operator advertising for private iGaming operators. As of December 2025, all licensed sports betting activities in Ethiopia are prohibited. The figures below reflect the last known requirements prior to the shutdown and are based on secondary reporting, as official government fee schedules were not located.<\/p>\n