Ethiopian Lottery Service (ELS) has issued a directive, announcing an immediate ban on sports betting companies across the country.
The directive follows a coordinated multi‑agency probe into alleged financial irregularities and illegal practices within the sector.
The measure, effective immediately, applies to both currently operating companies and those previously suspended.
ELS said the decision is based on findings from an in-depth nationwide review of the betting and finance sector that flagged widespread breaches of license agreements and illicit financial transfers posing a threat to national security.
It warned that all betting activity, whether digital or otherwise, must stop at once, and that deposit gateways and payment channels are required to cease services.
Operators are obliged to securely retain server data, financial records and user information. ELS’s directive emphasized that destroying; altering or concealing evidence will attract criminal prosecution under Ethiopian law.
The ban came amid a sweeping enforcement operation involving the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), the Financial Security Service and federal police, which had led to the arrest of multiple sports betting company owners and associates.
Financial institutions, payment instrument issuers and payment system operators have been notified that the licenses of all betting companies will be formally revoked within the next two weeks.
MG/as/APA