Is online gambling legal in Egypt?

Since February 2026 the government has been blocking offshore gambling websites. The helpline listed for gambling concerns is 0800 888 0700 (National Council for Mental Health).

Online gambling is not legal here. Playing on offshore sites can get you into legal trouble.

Online sports betting is banned in Egypt. Online casino is banned in Egypt. Online poker is banned in Egypt. The lottery is only partly legal in Egypt (partial).

Using a VPN to reach gambling sites from Egypt: Using a VPN to circumvent government blocks on prohibited content, such as gambling sites, is illegal. New legislation is expected to introduce specific penalties for this activity.

Gambling with crypto: Banned.

You must be 18 to gamble online in Egypt.

Land-casino winnings of foreigners are not taxed locally. For Egyptian residents, gambling is legally prohibited; any winnings declared would be taxable income.

There are approximately 30 licensed operators in Egypt as of 8 Oct 2026.

No national licence for online gambling exists here, so a site taking deposits from players in Egypt is not licensed locally, whatever licence it shows from elsewhere.

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities's website

Prominent operators in Egypt

• ✓
  For Online Gambling: No Safety Flags Exist

  All online gambling platforms are illegal for Egyptian citizens to use. Any site accepting play from Egyptian residents is operating illegally and offers no player protection or legal recourse.

• ✓
  Verify the Casino is Inside a Reputable Hotel

  All legal casinos in Egypt are located within licensed four- or five-star hotels. Standalone casinos are not permitted.

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  Confirm Requirement of a Foreign Passport

  A legal casino will strictly enforce the 'foreigners-only' rule and will require you to present your passport for entry and registration. A venue that does not check for a foreign passport is operating illegally.

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  Check that Transactions are in Foreign Currency

  Licensed casinos are required to conduct all gambling transactions in foreign currencies like USD or EUR. If a venue allows gambling with Egyptian Pounds, it is not a legally sanctioned casino.

What the rules mean for bonus offers you see in Egypt. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.

1. 1

   For Online Gambling (Citizens)

   There is no official dispute resolution path as the activity is illegal for citizens. Players using offshore sites have no legal recourse within Egypt.

2. 2

   1. Direct Complaint to Casino Management (Foreigners)

   For disputes in a legal, land-based casino, the player should first attempt to resolve the issue directly with the casino's floor manager or customer service department.

3. 3

   2. Complaint to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (Foreigners)

   If the issue is not resolved, a formal complaint can be filed with the supervising ministry. However, a public-facing portal or specific procedure for this is not published.

• Myth

  It's legal for me to play on foreign websites since the law only applies to gambling inside Egypt.
  Reality

  This is false. The Penal Code's prohibitions apply to citizens' activities regardless of where the operator is based. As of February 2026, the government is actively blocking these sites, and new legislation is being drafted to penalize users.

• Myth

  Using a VPN makes online gambling safe and legal.
  Reality

  This is incorrect and dangerous. Circumventing government blocks on prohibited content is illegal. The pending 'Digital Anti-Gambling' bill is expected to introduce specific deterrent penalties for using VPNs to access gambling sites.

• Myth

  My winnings from online betting are tax-free.
  Reality

  The primary issue is not tax, but illegality. While foreigners' winnings in legal casinos are not taxed, any income an Egyptian resident earns (even from illegal sources) is theoretically subject to income tax. Declaring such winnings would be an admission of a criminal act.