Is Gambling Legal in Egypt? Laws, Restrictions & Tourist Options Explained

Key Information

Last Update 2025

Regulatory Authority Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

License Cost Varies

Regulation by Activity Type

Casinos Regulated

Online Casinos Prohibited

Betting Prohibited

Online Betting Prohibited

Lotteries Regulated

Poker Prohibited

Highlights

Gambling in Egypt is strictly regulated, with most forms prohibited for Egyptian citizens under the Penal Code.
Land-based casinos are legal but only accessible to foreign nationals; locals are barred from entry and must show a passport.
Licensing and oversight of casinos are handled by the Ministry of Tourism, with licenses primarily granted for tourist hotels.
Online gambling is not specifically regulated or licensed; the sector operates in a legal gray area with no formal player protections.
State-run lotteries and certain forms of sports betting are permitted and regulated separately from casino gambling.
Casino licensing fees range from $50,000 to $100,000, and the process can take 6 to 12 months with multiple government approvals.
Casinos must transact in foreign currency, and strict age and identification checks are enforced at entry for compliance.

Legislation

Primary Legislation

The legal framework governing gambling in Egypt is based on a combination of secular statutes and principles influenced by Islamic law. The main legislative instruments currently in force are:

Egyptian Civil Code No. 131 of 1948: This code, specifically Articles 739 and 740, declares that any agreement related to gambling or betting is void. However, it provides exceptions for bets between participants in sporting events and for legally authorized lotteries.
Egyptian Penal Code (notably Article 271 and Article 352): The Penal Code criminalizes most forms of gambling, defining it as risking money on uncertain outcomes and explicitly prohibiting gambling activities, especially those conducted in physical venues such as casinos and betting establishments.
Law No. 8 of 2022 Regarding Hotel and Tourism Entities: Article 24 of this law allows gambling activities only in designated facilities and exclusively for non-Egyptians, subject to conditions set by the competent minister. It also empowers the minister to determine which entities may offer gambling and to set the applicable royalties.
Law No. 93 of 1973: This law specifically regulates lotteries, providing the legal basis for state-controlled and authorized lottery activities.

Online gambling is not specifically regulated under Egyptian law, and there is no dedicated legislation addressing online gambling activities. As a result, online gambling operates in a legal gray area, with enforcement relying on general prohibitions found in the Penal Code and Civil Code.

Regulatory Authority

Oversight and regulation of gambling activities in Egypt are primarily managed by government ministries and authorities, with responsibilities divided as follows:

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities: This ministry is the principal regulatory authority for land-based casinos and gambling activities within hotels and tourism entities. It issues decrees regulating the operation of casinos, determines which facilities may offer gambling, and sets the conditions and royalties applicable to such activities.
Judicial Authorities: Courts enforce the provisions of the Civil Code and Penal Code related to gambling, including the nullification of gambling contracts and the prosecution of illegal gambling activities.
Other Governmental Bodies: For state lotteries, specific authorities designated by Law No. 93 of 1973 oversee their operation and compliance.

Currently, there is no unified gambling regulatory commission in Egypt. The regulatory structure is fragmented, with different ministries and authorities responsible for various aspects of gambling legislation and enforcement.

License Types

Types of Gambling Licenses Available in Egypt

Casino Licenses: The primary form of gambling license in Egypt is for land-based casinos. These licenses are issued specifically for casinos located within hotels and tourist areas. Only non-Egyptian nationals are permitted to gamble in these establishments.
Lottery Licenses: Separate licenses exist for operating state-sanctioned lotteries, regulated under specific national laws.
Sports Betting Licenses: State-controlled betting systems exist for limited forms of sports betting, operated under strict government oversight. These are not open to private operators in the general sense.
Online Gambling: There is currently no licensing regime for online gambling operators. No licenses are issued for online casinos, sports betting, or other internet-based gambling activities.

Licensing Application Process

Regulatory Authority: The Ministry of Tourism is responsible for issuing and overseeing casino licenses. For lotteries, a separate government body manages licensing and operations.
Application Submission: Prospective operators must submit a detailed application to the Ministry of Tourism. The application typically includes business plans, financial projections, proof of funding, and documentation regarding the intended location and ownership structure.
Approval Process: The process involves multiple stages of review, including background checks on owners and key personnel, assessment of financial stability, and evaluation of the proposed casino’s impact on tourism.
Local Authority Involvement: Local government approval may also be required, especially concerning the casino’s location and compliance with municipal regulations.
Duration: The licensing process generally takes between 6 to 12 months from initial application to final approval.

Duration, Renewal, and Eligibility

License Duration: Casino licenses are typically granted for a fixed term, often 5 years, with the possibility of renewal subject to ongoing compliance and performance reviews.
Renewal Conditions: Renewal requires demonstration of continued compliance with all regulatory requirements, payment of applicable fees, and a satisfactory operational record.
Eligibility: Licenses are generally only available to companies with a proven track record in the hospitality or gaming sector, strong financial standing, and no history of criminal activity among key personnel. Foreign ownership is permitted, but operations must primarily target non-Egyptian tourists.

Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements

Application Fees: Fees for submitting a casino license application are typically required and may vary depending on the scale of the proposed operation.
License Fees: The cost of obtaining a casino license ranges from approximately $50,000 to $100,000, depending on the location, size, and scope of the casino.
Ongoing Fees: Licensed casinos are required to pay ongoing royalties or a percentage of gross gaming revenue to the government. The specific percentage is determined by the Ministry of Tourism and may not exceed half of the casino’s gambling revenue.
Financial Guarantees: Operators must demonstrate sufficient capital to fund the development and operation of the casino, as well as provide financial guarantees or bonds as required by the authorities.

Key Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining a License

Compliance with Regulations: Operators must adhere strictly to all conditions set by the Ministry of Tourism, including restrictions on local participation, anti-money laundering measures, and responsible gambling protocols.
Operational Standards: Casinos must maintain high standards of security, fairness, and transparency. Regular audits and inspections are conducted by regulatory authorities.
Reporting Obligations: Licensed operators are required to submit periodic financial and operational reports to the Ministry of Tourism.
Personnel Requirements: All key staff must pass background checks and demonstrate appropriate qualifications and experience.
Facility Standards: The casino premises must meet strict requirements regarding safety, accessibility, and suitability for international tourists.

Summary Table: Casino Licensing in Egypt

Aspect	Details
Types of Licenses	Casino (hotel-based), Lottery, State sports betting (limited)
Online Gambling	No licensing regime available
Regulator	Ministry of Tourism (casinos), Lottery authority (lotteries)
Application Duration	6–12 months
License Term	Typically 5 years, renewable
License Fees	$50,000–$100,000 (casinos)
Ongoing Fees	Royalty up to 50% of gambling revenue
Eligibility	Foreign-focused, proven track record, financial stability

There is currently no formal licensing process for online gambling operators in Egypt. All legal gambling licenses are focused on land-based casinos within hotels and are strictly regulated by the Ministry of Tourism. Licensing is reserved for operations targeting non-Egyptian tourists, with stringent requirements on financial capacity, operational standards, and ongoing compliance.

Gambling Tax

Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in Egypt

The Egyptian gambling taxation system primarily applies to land-based casino operations, as these are the only legally recognized gambling establishments permitted to serve non-Egyptian patrons. The main form of taxation is a percentage of the casino's total revenue, which includes all profits from table games and slot machines.

Gambling Activity	Tax Rate	Tax Base
Land-based Casinos	21.5%	Total Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)

Additionally, the competent minister may impose a royalty on casino operations, which is set by ministerial decree and cannot exceed 50% of the revenues from gambling games. This royalty is separate from the standard tax and is determined on a case-by-case basis for each licensed establishment.

Basis for Taxation

Taxation is calculated on the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), defined as the total amount collected from patrons minus winnings paid out.
The 21.5% rate applies to the total GGR, covering all types of games offered by the casino.
Royalty payments, if imposed, are calculated as a percentage of gambling revenues, up to a maximum of 50% as set by the minister.

Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements

Casinos must maintain detailed records of all gaming revenues and submit regular tax returns to the Egyptian Tax Authority.
Tax payments are typically made on a monthly or quarterly basis, aligned with the operator’s accounting periods and as stipulated by the tax authority.
Operators are required to remit both the standard tax and any applicable royalties in accordance with the deadlines set by the relevant authorities.
Failure to comply with reporting or payment obligations can result in penalties, interest charges, or suspension of the casino’s operating permissions.

Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions

There are no publicly available tax incentives or exemptions specifically for gambling operators in Egypt.
Legally authorized lotteries are exempt from the general prohibition on gambling but are subject to their own regulatory and fiscal regime.
Casinos are only permitted to serve non-Egyptian patrons, and their tax obligations are strictly enforced.
Online gambling is not regulated, and there is no established taxation framework for online gambling operators targeting the Egyptian market.

Prohibited Individuals

Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements

In Egypt, only tourists and foreign nationals are allowed to participate in gambling - residents of the country, including Egyptian citizens, are prohibited from playing legal gambling games, including casinos.
Casinos and gambling venues are required to verify the nationality of all players, typically through passport or identification checks, to ensure only foreign nationals are granted access.
There is no explicit minimum age for gambling specified in public regulations, but casinos generally enforce an 18+ or 21+ age policy for foreign visitors, consistent with international standards and hotel policies.

Prohibited Gambling Activities and Game Restrictions

All forms of gambling are considered illegal for Egyptian citizens, regardless of location or platform.
Most types of gambling, including casinos, games of chance, and sports betting, are prohibited for locals under the Penal Code and civil law.
Online gambling is not regulated or licensed in Egypt; there are no legal, locally licensed online gambling operators, and the legal status of accessing offshore sites remains ambiguous but is generally discouraged.
Casinos are only permitted in specifically licensed hotels and tourist areas, and their operation is subject to strict government oversight.
State-run lotteries and limited forms of state-controlled betting are permitted but are highly regulated, with participation generally restricted to non-Egyptians or specific circumstances.
Skill-based games, betting, and arcades are not specifically regulated or permitted under current law.

Advertising and Marketing Limitations

Advertising and marketing of gambling services are highly restricted in Egypt.
Promotion of gambling activities to Egyptian nationals is strictly prohibited.
Casinos and gambling operators may only market their services to foreign tourists, typically through targeted advertising in international travel channels or within licensed hotel premises.
Public advertising of gambling, including billboards, local media, and online channels accessible to Egyptians, is not permitted.
Marketing materials must not depict gambling as culturally acceptable or target local residents in any way.

Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures

There are no comprehensive, formal responsible gambling frameworks or player protection measures mandated by Egyptian law, due to the general prohibition of gambling for locals.
Casinos catering to foreigners may implement standard international responsible gambling practices, such as self-exclusion options and responsible gaming information, but these are not specifically required by Egyptian regulation.
There is no government-mandated support for problem gambling, helplines, or treatment programs for Egyptian residents.
Online gambling is not regulated; therefore, there are no player protection or responsible gambling requirements for online operators targeting Egyptian players.

Geographic and Location Restrictions

Legal gambling venues (casinos) are only allowed in designated hotels and tourist areas, primarily in cities like Cairo and along the Red Sea coast.
Casinos must be physically located within licensed hotel properties and are not permitted to operate as standalone establishments or outside of approved tourist zones.
No gambling venues are allowed in residential areas or locations accessible to the general Egyptian public.

Timeline

Year/Date	Event
1948	Egyptian Civil Law No. 131 is enacted, explicitly voiding all gambling and betting contracts except certain exemptions for sports bets and state lotteries.
1973	Law No. 93 is introduced, establishing a legal framework for state-run lotteries in Egypt.
1982	Regulations are issued allowing land-based casinos to operate exclusively for foreigners (non-Egyptians), with oversight by the Ministry of Tourism.
2022	Law No. 8 Regarding Hotel and Tourism Entities is enacted, reaffirming that gambling in casinos is permitted only for non-Egyptians and setting conditions for casino operations and royalties.
2020s	Egypt begins to address the rise of online gambling, with authorities exploring technology-driven regulatory solutions and increased monitoring, though no comprehensive online gambling law is enacted.

Requirements

Software Certification and Technical Standards

Egypt does not have a dedicated regulatory framework for online gambling or specific technical standards for gambling software. Land-based casinos are regulated, primarily targeting foreign tourists, and must comply with operational decrees set by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
There are no formal requirements for software certification, random number generator (RNG) testing, or technical audits for gambling platforms as seen in other regulated markets.
Operators are expected to implement robust IT systems to ensure transaction integrity, customer data management, and security, but these requirements are not codified in specific gambling legislation.

Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location

Egypt enforces the Data Protection Law No. 151 of 2020, which applies to the electronic processing of personal data, including data collected by gambling operators.
Operators must obtain clear user consent for data collection, ensure secure storage and processing, and comply with restrictions on cross-border data transfers as set out in Articles 14 and 15 of the Data Protection Law.
The Data Protection Centre and the Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology are responsible for oversight and enforcement.
No explicit requirements exist for server location specific to gambling operators, but general data protection obligations apply to all entities handling personal data electronically.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures

There are no sector-specific AML or KYC regulations for gambling operators in Egypt. However, general anti-money laundering obligations under national law apply to all financial transactions, including those in casinos.
Operators are expected to implement standard due diligence procedures, such as verifying the identity of customers, monitoring transactions, and reporting suspicious activities to relevant authorities.
For online or digital operations, international best practices are often followed voluntarily, as there is no local regulatory mandate for gambling-specific AML/KYC compliance.

Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping

There are no explicit, gambling-specific financial reporting or auditing standards mandated by Egyptian law for gambling operators.
Land-based casinos are required to comply with general corporate financial reporting and auditing obligations applicable to all businesses in Egypt.
Operators must maintain accurate records of transactions and revenues, particularly for royalty calculation and compliance with Ministry of Tourism decrees.
There are no detailed requirements for the retention period or format of gambling-specific records.

Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools

Egyptian regulations do not mandate the implementation of responsible gambling tools, such as self-exclusion, deposit limits, or reality checks, for either land-based or online operators.
There are no technical standards or operational requirements regarding the display of responsible gambling information or the integration of player protection mechanisms.
Any responsible gambling measures implemented by operators are voluntary and not prescribed by law.

Sources

Primary Regulatory Authorities

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities – Issues decrees regulating land-based casinos in hotels and oversees gambling activities permitted for non-Egyptians

Legislation Resources

Egyptian Cabinet – Legislation and Laws Portal – Central resource for all Egyptian laws and regulations

Contact Information

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities 3 El-Adel Abou Bakr St., Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt Phone: +20 2 27354532 Email: info@egymonuments.gov.eg