Ethiopia Revokes Licenses of Betting Operators

In Ethiopia, the regulator (ELS) on December 15 revoked the licenses of all betting operators following an investigation that uncovered money laundering cases and threats to national security, ordering banks to block all transactions related to betting activities.

Decision of the Ethiopian Lottery Service

The Ethiopian Lottery Service announced the revocation of licenses for all companies providing sports betting services in the country. The measure applies to all operators without exception, including companies that had previously faced restrictions.

The regulator stated that the decision was made within the powers granted by law and based on directives from the federal authorities.

Reasons for the License Revocation

Findings of the National Investigation

The license revocation followed a national review of the betting sector and related financial operations. The investigation identified illegal practices, violations of licensing conditions, and unlawful money transfers.

According to the regulator, the violations identified were deemed to pose a threat to national security.

Suspension of Betting Company Operations

Complete Ban on Accepting Bets

Under the ELS directive, all forms of betting activities, including offline and online formats, must cease immediately. Operators are prohibited from accepting new bets, and payment gateways are required to halt operations.

Data Preservation Requirements

The regulator ordered companies to preserve server data, financial records, and user information. Any destruction, alteration, or concealment of data will be treated as a criminal offense.

Blocking of Financial Transactions

Banks, payment organizations, and payment system operators have been instructed to block all transactions related to betting agencies. The ban applies to both sales and settlement activities.

Enforcement of the Directive

The Ethiopian Lottery Service stated that it will enforce the decision in cooperation with other government bodies. Any parties violating the directive will be held accountable in accordance with applicable law.