Egypt Expands Online Betting Crackdown Through New Digital Safety Bill

Highlights 

• Egypt plans to introduce a broader Digital Safety Law in Parliament within six weeks, incorporating measures to tackle illegal online betting.
• The proposed legislation will target betting brokers, promoters, and individuals who help users access unauthorised gambling platforms.

Egypt is preparing to strengthen its crackdown on illegal online betting by incorporating gambling-related restrictions into a broader Digital Safety Law. The government is expected to submit the proposed legislation to Parliament within approximately six weeks.

Ahmed Badawi, chairman of the House of Representatives’ Communications and Information Technology Committee, announced the revised timeline on 1 November.

He said online betting applications had defrauded hundreds of thousands of Egyptians, with some users reportedly spending up to 24 hours continuously on these platforms.

The proposed legislation will incorporate amendments to Cybercrime Law No. 175 of 2018, along with provisions addressing children’s social media use and protecting adults from digital risks.

Egypt’s proposed approach goes beyond blocking illegal gambling websites and applications. Badawi indicated that the government intends to target betting brokers and their representatives operating within the country. 

Individuals promoting unauthorised platforms or helping citizens access these services could also face legal consequences.

Earlier proposals included penalties of up to 7 years in prison and fines of up to EGP 500,000 for creating applications used for cybercrime. However, the government has not yet confirmed the final penalties or complete provisions of the new legislation.

Authorities have already attempted to restrict illegal betting services by blocking applications. Nevertheless, operators continue introducing alternative platforms to bypass these restrictions, creating additional enforcement challenges.

The updated legislation reflects Egypt’s broader efforts to address online financial risks and unauthorised digital activities. Its effectiveness will depend on how authorities implement the proposed restrictions and monitor the networks supporting illegal betting operations. 

The bill has yet to reach Parliament, meaning its final scope remains subject to further legislative developments.

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