Staff Reporter

The Ethiopian government has revoked the operating licenses of all sports betting organizations, effective yesterday, December 15, 2025, claiming that the industry was linked to massive revenue concealment and illegal money transfers.

The Ethiopian Lottery Service (ELS) has announced that the decision applies to all operators, both active and those previously under suspension.

The directive mandates an immediate cessation of all betting activities on both physical and digital platforms, effectively dismantling a sector that had become a greater part of urban life in Ethiopia.

While social concerns have long plagued the industry, the government’s primary justification for the total shutdown centered on illicit financial flows and national security.

The ELS cited a national-level assessment and intelligence from the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) which uncovered massive revenue concealment,
Illicit transfers and terrorism financing.

The government alleged that proceeds from these illegal betting networks were being funneled to anti-peace groups and contraband networks.

As of mid-December, 24 suspects, including owners of major betting firms, remain in custody.

The directive extends beyond the betting shops as the government has ordered all financial institutions, including commercial banks and mobile payment platforms like Telebirr, to immediately block transaction gateways for betting organizations.

Operators have been warned that any destruction of server data or financial records to conceal evidence will be met with severe criminal prosecution.

The ban also addresses a growing social crisis among Ethiopia’s youth, who make up 70% of the population.

Just weeks prior to the ban, reports surfaced of university students facing academic dismissal and crippling debt due to mobile betting addiction.

“Students were borrowing money from digital credit services to finance gambling during classes,” one report noted, revealing cases of students repeatedly failing national exams due to the distraction of 24/7 online betting.