A Guide to the Regulations Around Gambling in Egypt

In Egypt, most forms of gambling are illegal. However, there are two exceptions, including the state-run lottery and betting on horse racing, which can make things a bit confusing. There are even different rules for tourists as they are able to enter the country’s casinos. So, before you plan that trip, make sure to keep reading to find out what the rules are!

A Quick Overview of Gambling Regulations in Egypt

This area has a lengthy history of gambling, stretching back to civilizations such as the Bedouins. These ancient tribes exhibited some of the earliest forms of gambling involving betting on camel racing. Today, gambling is illegal in most forms. There are a couple of exceptions, which can make things a bit complicated. We’ll cover the exceptions in more detail later on.

The punishments for locals caught gambling can be harsh. Those found guilty can find themselves facing hefty fines and prison sentences. It’s even possible for their property to be seized. In October 2024, the Administrative Control Authority and the National Security Sector of the Ministry of Interior arrested a gang for ‘luring young people into participating in illegal betting’. Although they still await trial, if found guilty, the gang could face prison sentences of years.

Exceptions to the Rules

As we mentioned earlier, there are a couple exceptions to the strict regulations, including the national lottery and betting on horse racing.

National Lottery

The first exception is the state-run Egypt National Lottery, also known as Cairo Lottery. It’s operated by Premier Lotteries Egypt, which was awarded a 20-year license by the government in 2014 to provide one of the country’s only forms of gambling.

Tickets include two lines of six numbers and are E£5. For an additional E£2, players can add an extra line. The money spent on tickets goes towards the Good Cause Fund, which supports initiatives throughout the country, including newspapers and charities.

The jackpot is pretty generous, with the minimum starting at E£3m. If the jackpot goes unclaimed, it rolls over to the next draw so there’s even more to play for. Draws take place every day and can be watched live through the ‘Live Draw’ section on the Cairo Lottery website. Players can also check the results through this page.

Lotteries have been legal in Egypt since 1976. There used to be hundreds of retailers and operators selling lottery tickets. Now, the Egypt National Lottery is the only lottery allowed. It’s also closely monitored by the government.

Betting on Horse Racing

The second form of legal gambling in Egypt is betting on horse racing. It’s closely regulated by the Egyptian Sports Betting Authority, which runs all forms of legal betting on the sport. The sport itself is managed by the Egyptian Jockey Club. They’re responsible for creating the programs for horse racing in Egypt.

Horse racing has a lengthy history in the country having been introduced at the start of the 20^th century by the British. There are four racing courses throughout Egypt. There are two in Cairo, including the Gezira Sporting Club and El Shams Club in Heliopolis. The remaining two can be found in Alexandria at Alexandria Sporting Club and Smouha.

During the winter season, racing runs at the two Cairo courses on alternate weekends. The races attract plenty of international talent, with horses from Ireland, England and France often appearing. There are a few races throughout the calendar which are reserved exclusively for Arab horses.

A Different Story for Tourists

Don’t cancel those flights just yet, regulations are completely different for tourists! It’s completely legal for tourists or foreigners living in the country to gamble. There are even land-based casinos in the tourist hotspots throughout the country, including Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Alexandria. To enter these casinos, visitors are required to show their passport to verify their nationality.

Casinos are primarily found in the hotels throughout the country’s tourist centers. In Cairo alone, there are around 15 casinos, including Cairo Marriott Hotel, Omar Khayyam Casino, the Fairmont Nile City and Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah.

One of the most popular casinos within the city is the Ramses Hilton. It’s also one of the oldest casinos within the country, having been in operation for over 30 years. It offers players 43 slot machines, eight roulette wheels and over 15 gaming tables.

These casinos are overseen by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of the Interior. Their job is to ensure that only international visitors enter the casinos. They also issue all the country’s licenses for casinos and oversee fees and taxes.

Online Gambling in Egypt

Online gambling in Egypt is not as strictly regulated. Many players are able to access sites from other territories to enjoy some of the most popular casino games, such as poker, blackjack, roulette and slots. There are even innovative options such as live dealer games, which allow players to experience the bustling atmosphere of a real casino through intricate set design and interaction with dealers.

Online casinos are also popular for their variety. Not only do they host more games than found at land-based alternatives, but they also offer options for all budgets. Whether it’s no or low deposit bonuses, there’s a deal for every player. They also accept more forms of currency. There are online casinos where it’s possible to pay using popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as e-wallets like PayPal.

It can be difficult to identify the best online casinos, especially in terms of safety, as there are no licenses offered by the Ministry of Tourism for online gambling operators. That’s why many players use one of the area’s leading comparison sites, ArabCasinoGuide, which only works with trustworthy casinos. They also save players the time and hassle of comparing casinos, by doing all the work for them. They review each casino based on factors such as security, bonuses, game options and customer service. Their thorough approach allows them to choose the very best options for players.

Could Gambling be Fully Legalized in the Future?

It’s unlikely that gambling will become fully legal in Egypt in the near future. However, they could follow the path of nearby countries such as the United Arab Emirates and focus on market expansion in tourist cities.

In October 2024, the UAE granted its first license for gambling to Wynn Resorts to build the Wynn Al Marjan Island. It’s situated in Dubai, the country’s tourism capital and is scheduled to open in 2027. The $3.9bn resort will combine a casino with luxury rooms and restaurants.

It’s a big move for the country where gambling is strictly regulated. Following the announcement, other land-based operators have been eyeing up expansion in the area. MGM announced an application to build the country’s second casino in September 2024.

MGM is already working alongside Hospitality and Leisure to create a luxury hotel development at Jumeirah Beach in Dubai. Although they don’t yet hold a casino license for the development, they could secure one for the hotel in the future. With the Egyptian government keen to boost tourism to the country, it wouldn’t be out of the question to see them follow a similar path to the UAE.

There’s already a basis for the expansion of tourist casinos with the Hilton and Caesars Entertainment Corporation operating within Alexandria and Cairo as tourist destinations. The government’s heavy investment in tourism could lead to further development.

The World Travel and Tourism Council estimated that tourism contributed E£1.4tn to Egypt’s economy in 2024 alone, representing 8.5%. This number is expected to grow once again in 2025 following a government announcement regarding high levels of investment in the hopes of attracting over 30 million tourists annually.

Not only does tourism contribute massively to the country’s economy, it also provides jobs for 2.9 million people. The growth in tourism means more hotels, which is where the majority of the country’s casinos are located. As the government hopes to continue as a hub for tourism, it’s likely we’ll see some of the most visited cities gaining a few further casinos.

Conclusion - How is Gambling Regulated in Egypt?

At the moment, gambling is strictly regulated in Egypt. For locals the only legal forms of gambling are through the National Lottery and sports betting on horse racing. Things look a little different for tourists and foreign citizens. Not only can visitors access some of the top online casino games in the world through comparison sites, but they can also enjoy the country’s popular land-based casinos.

For now, casino numbers are quite limited, with options restricted to popular tourist cities such as Cairo and Alexandria. However, if Egypt wants to further encourage tourism, the number of casinos for tourists may increase as they are in the UAE.

Overall, if you’re planning a trip to see the pyramids, make sure you’re aware of the various regulations surrounding gambling in the country first.