Ethiopia Targets Sports Betting Reform After Br27.5bn Operator Debt Uncovered

Ethiopia has moved to overhaul its sports betting and digital lottery industry after a draft audit revealed billions in unpaid obligations from licensed operators.

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The investigation, reported by Fana Broadcasting Corporate, showed that between July 2022 and December 2025, when the Ethiopian Lottery Service (ELS) suspended all licenses, betting companies handled close to Br199 billion in wagers. Yet only Br3.6 billion of the roughly Br30 billion in commissions assessed was actually paid, leaving a shortfall of Br27.5 billion.

The debt figure covers more than missed commission payments. It also includes penalties, registration charges, and licence renewal fees. Dash Betting alone accounts for Br8.64 billion of the outstanding balance, while around ten other firms collectively owe nearly Br19 billion.

Beza Girma, CEO of the Ethiopian Lottery Service, confirmed the findings and said the audit was designed to establish the true state of the industry. He explained that the results would guide reforms already in motion, with legal recovery measures to follow once the audit is complete.

Monitoring and regulatory systems planned to handle massive inflow

The figures from Fana show just how quickly Ethiopia’s betting industry outpaced the system meant to oversee it.

In 2022, the total amount wagered across the sector stood at only 4.7 billion birr. By September 2025, however, monthly turnover had surged to nearly 20 billion birr. That means a single month’s activity in 2025 was more than four times the entire volume recorded three years earlier.

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This rapid growth was powered by mobile networks, digital payments, and online platforms that allowed deposits, wagers, and withdrawals to move instantly without relying on physical betting shops.

While the technology opened the door to massive inflows, regulatory oversight did not expand at the same pace. The mismatch left authorities struggling to track obligations and enforce compliance as billions moved through the system.

To address this gap, Ethiopia’s Lottery Service has announced plans for a unified digital platform that will record and monitor both financial and legal obligations of operators. The aim is to shift supervision toward technology‑based oversight, ensuring that every transaction and liability is captured in real time.

It’s left to see how the ELS will use this data to usher the country into a new gambling era. For now, all forms of betting remains illlegal in Ethiopia. Speaking in July, the regulator said some groups were using the shutdown period to mislead people and push illegal betting offers.

“At present, there is no sports betting organisation operating in Ethiopia with a legal licence,” the ELS said, warning citizens not to place bets or send money through unlicensed sites, social media pages or other payment channels.

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