On the 18th of June in 1953 the Republic of Egypt was formed. It became the Arab Republic of Egypt on September 1, 1971. Over the recent past, the sports betting sector and betting sites in Egypt have expanded tremendously to provide both the conventional and the contemporary forms of gambling. This extensive guide intends to shed light on the legal framework, the major online platforms of Egyptian sports. No matter if you are a pro in the field or just getting started, this article will provide you with all the information that is required on sports betting in Egypt.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Understanding Egypt’s Gambling Laws
Gambling laws in Egypt have changed over the years and thus one needs to be well informed of the current standing. Here’s a timeline to help you grasp the historical context:
- 1937: The first time gambling was legally mentioned in the Egyptian legislation can be found in the Penal Code.
- 1941 – 1955: King Farouk I banned gambling via Public Stores Law No. 38, under Article 19 of the law.
- 1955: Casino gambling is allowed for foreigners; citizens of the country are not allowed to enter.
- 1960: Lottery is officially allowed in some of the governorates only.
- 1976: The lottery is legalized across the country and the organization, The Lottery Coalition is formed.
- 2005: Online sports betting was officially allowed.
Key Regulatory Agencies
In Egypt, the Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities holds the jurisdiction on gambling licenses and policies. The Egyptian Gaming Control Board (EGCB) is the regulatory body that has the mandate to grant operating licenses to the betting sites. These agencies are responsible for the regulation of gambling activities in the country so that they do not contravene the laid down laws.
Legal Forms of Betting Sites in Egypt
1. Casino Gambling
Limited to tourists, the activity of casino gambling has been allowed since 1955. Egypt has 30 licensed casinos and they are distributed throughout the country but mostly in Cairo. Some of them are online casinos that are open all the time and conduct their businesses using US Dollars.
2. Lottery
Lottery was first launched in the year 1960 and was legalized throughout the country in the year 1976. Although the locals are allowed to engage in lotteries, the online lottery services have not been legalized.
3. Sports Betting
It was only legalized in 2005 and football is the most common to be bet on by the local people. The services of sports betting are provided by the Egyptian National Post Organization together with the Intralot Company.
Prohibited and Permitted Bets
As for casino gambling and sports betting are legal, other kinds of gambling are unlawful because they are not regulated according to the Egyptian Penal Code. Here is a summary:
Permitted:
- Casino games
- Lottery
- Sports betting
Prohibited:
- Online casinos
- Unlicensed gambling activities
List of Best Betting Sites in Egypt
There are many betting sites that provide services to the Egyptian bettors. Here are some of the top options:
1. Betandyou
Up To £120 + £30 Free Bets
2. 1xBet
Up To £100
3. 22Bet
Up to £122
Some of the Key events in Egyptian Sports
Egypt, being one of the countries in the world that takes sports seriously, has always achieved great feats. Here are some notable milestones:
- African Cup of Nations: Egypt’s senior national football team, the Pharaohs have been AFCON champions seven times with back to back wins in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
- Olympic Games: The first appearance of Egypt in the Olympic Games was in 1912 and up to date the country has got 26 medals.
- Squash: Egypt’s sports particularly squash has given world champions like Ramy Ashour and Amr Shabana.
Sports Star Glory
Egypt has produced several notable athletes who have excelled internationally:
- Mohamed Salah: Striker of Liverpool football club and the Egyptian national team. The 2017/2018 African Player of the Year.
- Karam Gaber: The Greek-Roman wrestler and Olympic champion.
- Amr Shabana: The 4 time World Open Squash Champion and the first Egyptian player in the world ranking list for squash.
Gambling Restrictions in Neighboring Countries
Here’s a brief overview of gambling laws in three neighboring countries:
1. Libya
Islam does not allow gambling at all. This ban is strictly observed by the government and the consequences are very severe for anyone who is found indulging in any sort of gambling activities.
2. Sudan
As in Libya, gambling is prohibited due to the religious grounds. The Sudanese law is anchored on the Sharia law and this does not allow for any form of gambling.
3. Israel
Gambling is not allowed in the country but there are an exception for state’s lottery and some forms of sports betting. These exceptions are strictly controlled to avoid the negative impact on society and to fund social services as well as other public programs.
Conclusion
Lastly, knowing more about the Egypt sports betting and the best betting sites in Egypt will be important for any one who wants to place a bet in the country. It is due to the enhanced sports history, changing laws, and various forms of betting sites that every bettor is accommodated.
FAQ: Betting Sites in Egypt
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