Ethiopia revoked all sports betting licences in December 2025 after an audit found operators had underpaid the state by Br27.5 billion. The market remains closed with no timeline for reopening.
According to a draft audit, operators processed Br199 billion in transactions during the review period. One operator handled Br8.64 billion, while ten companies processed around Br19 billion. Government commission owed totalled Br30 billion, but only Br3.6 billion was paid. The shortfall includes fines, licence renewal fees and registration charges. The final audit has not been published and figures for individual categories vary. Ethiopian Lottery Service (ELS) head Beza Girma said the regulator would pursue the debt through the courts.
ELS suspended 22 operators on 4 December 2025, then revoked all licences on 15 December and shut down online and retail betting points. In July, ELS confirmed no operator held a valid licence. In August 2026, authorities took action against 38 betting companies, accusing them of concealing customer data, tax evasion and illegal financial operations. Owners were detained and accounts frozen. Operator Hulu Sport challenged the regulator's decision in court and won on procedural grounds, but ELS filed an appeal and secured a 15-day stay.
ELS is developing a unified digital system to monitor operators' financial obligations. The market relaunch is planned with stronger oversight, but licence requirements and application deadlines have not been announced.
