Ethiopia plans sports betting relaunch after audit finds €152m shortfall

Ethiopia is preparing to relaunch sports betting with stricter controls, after a preliminary audit found an alleged €152m shortfall in payments owed to the state. The reform follows the revocation of all sports betting licences in December 2025.

The alleged shortfall was disclosed in a report by the Fana Media Corporation, according to which about €166m in fees was due to the state but less than €20m was paid. The shortfall also covered penalties, licence renewal fees and registration costs.

The chief executive officer of the ELS, the country's gambling regulator, said the authority will take legal measures to recover the sums owed once the audit is completed. The chief executive added that work is under way on a unified digital system intended to record and monitor operators' financial and legal obligations.

On 4 December 2025 the ELS suspended 22 operators following an investigation into alleged regulatory and financial violations, and on 15 December it revoked all sports betting licences, also ordering a halt to online and physical retail operations. In August, the Government Communication Service said measures had been taken against 38 betting companies accused of concealing customer data, evading taxes, hiding revenue and conducting illicit financial transactions.

To date the ELS has not set licensing requirements, an application procedure or a timetable for reopening the market. Operators therefore cannot yet return to the market.