Will Sports Betting Return to Ethiopia? Relaunch Plans (2026)
Last updated: 4 October 2026
Sports betting has been shut down in Ethiopia since December 2025. In September 2026 the Ethiopian Lottery Service (ELS) said it is preparing to bring sports betting and digital lotteries back — but “in a new form”, under much stricter supervision. This page explains what has happened so far, what the relaunch is expected to look like and what it means for players today. We update it when there is official news.
Quick Answer
| Is sports betting licensed in Ethiopia now? | No. All sports-betting licences were revoked on 15 December 2025, and no operator is licensed today. |
| Is a relaunch planned? | Yes. In September 2026 the ELS said preparations are underway to relaunch sports betting and digital lottery services with a new regulatory and technical framework. |
| When? | No date has been announced (checked 4 October 2026). |
| Will the old brands come back? | Unknown. Any operator will need a new licence under the new rules; no list of approved companies has been published. |
| How do I check a licence? | Only trust an official ELS announcement or list. Report illegal operators to the ELS via short code 9695. |
Timeline: From Licences to Shutdown
- July 2023 – the first sports-betting operators receive licences from the ELS.
- November 2025 – security agencies announce the arrest of 24 people linked to betting companies over hidden revenue that was reported to exceed 100 billion birr.
- 4 December 2025 – the ELS suspends 22 sports-betting companies, including well-known brands such as DashBet, Betika and Walia Sport.
- 15 December 2025 – the ELS revokes all sports-betting licences nationwide. See the list of closed betting sites.
- 6 August 2026 – the government says action was taken against 38 betting enterprises accused of hiding customer data to evade tax and move money illegally; owners were detained and company bank accounts frozen.
- September 2026 – the ELS publishes audit findings and says it is preparing a relaunch of sports betting and digital lotteries.
- Late September 2026 – investigations cited by Fana Media Corporation say about 20 billion birr was transacted through unlicensed betting platforms in September 2026 alone.
- 4 October 2026 – still no relaunch date, application window or list of licensed operators.
What the Audit Found
According to reports on the ELS audit, which covers the period from July 2023 until the suspension in December 2025:
| Total betting transactions | about 199 billion birr |
| Commissions operators should have paid | about 30 billion birr |
| Commissions actually paid | about 3.6 billion birr |
| Revenue shortfall | about 27.5 billion birr |
| Largest single shortfall | Dash Betting, about 8.64 billion birr (see our DashBet status page) |
| Unlicensed betting, September 2026 only | about 20 billion birr (Fana Media Corporation) |
ELS chief executive Beza Girma said the audit was carried out to provide evidence for structural reforms, and that the ELS will take legal measures to recover the money.
What the Relaunch Is Expected to Look Like
The ELS has not published the new rules yet. Based on its statements and local reporting, the relaunch is expected to be tightly supervised:
- A unified digital monitoring system that lets the regulator see betting transactions and compare them with the fees and commissions operators owe.
- Stricter licence conditions – traceable transactions, regular reporting to the regulator and settling government obligations before operating.
- Closer checks by banks and mobile-money providers on payments linked to betting, to separate licensed platforms from illegal ones.
- Digital lotteries are planned to return alongside sports betting.
No application window, licence fee or list of approved companies has been announced.
What This Means for Players Today
- No site is licensed in Ethiopia right now. Any website or app that says it has a “new Ethiopian licence” should be treated with suspicion until the ELS publishes an official list.
- Illegal betting is still large. About 20 billion birr reportedly went through unlicensed platforms in September 2026, which is why regulators want banks and mobile-money providers to block betting payments.
- Payments may be blocked. Banks and payment providers were instructed to block betting transactions after the ban, so deposits through local methods can fail. Read our legal status guide.
- Watch out for “relaunch” scams. Expect fake apps, Telegram channels and look-alike domains using the names of former brands. Never pay a “registration fee” or share your SMS code. See our official site safety guide.
- Old accounts and balances. If you had money on a closed Ethiopian site, keep your records (phone number, transaction IDs) and follow only official announcements from the operator or the ELS.
Want to know which brands are online, offline or suspended right now? Check the Ethiopia betting sites status list. For individual brands see DashBet and login problems.
FAQ
When will sports betting return to Ethiopia?
No date has been set. In September 2026 the Ethiopian Lottery Service said it is preparing the relaunch, but it has not announced when licensing will reopen.
Is online betting legal in Ethiopia right now?
No sports-betting operator holds an Ethiopian licence. All licences were revoked on 15 December 2025.
Will DashBet, Betika or other old brands come back?
That depends on whether they apply for and receive a licence under the new rules. The audit named Dash Betting as having the largest unpaid amount, and the ELS says it will pursue recovery of unpaid fees.
How can I check if a betting site is licensed in Ethiopia?
Only rely on an official ELS announcement or published list. A logo, a Telegram post or a message saying “licensed” is not proof. You can report illegal operators to the ELS via short code 9695.
Will digital lotteries also return?
Yes, the ELS says digital lottery services are part of the planned relaunch.
Sources
- Ethiopian News Agency – government action against 38 betting enterprises (6 August 2026): ena.et
- Capital Ethiopia – “Ethiopia prepares strict relaunch for sports betting, digital lotteries” (20 September 2026): capitalethiopia.com
- 2merkato – ELS audit and plans to rebuild the sector (September 2026): 2merkato.com
- Trends N Africa – audit and unlicensed betting volume, citing Fana Media Corporation (24 September 2026): trendsnafrica.com
- StockMarket.et – arrests linked to betting companies (November 2025): stockmarket.et
- Ethiopian Lottery Service: els.gov.et
21+ only. This page is information, not legal advice.