Gambling laws in Egypt
- Is there a Gambling Act (or equivalent) in place?
- Is online gambling a regulated activity?
- Who are the regulators?
- Do laws set out a clear licensing framework for gambling (including licensing process, criteria, submission requirements, licensing conditions and ongoing compliance requirements)
- Is gambling regulation specific to:
- Are there Data Protection laws in place?
- Is there a Data Protection Regulator?
- Are there any exchange controls restricting the transfer of cash out of and into the country?
- Are there any tax implications of transferring cash in/out of the country?
- Are there any tax implications of offering trading activities remotely into the country?
jurisdiction
This chapter was kindly submitted by Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy.
1. Is there a Gambling Act (or equivalent) in place?
Yes. The Egyptian Civil Law no. 131 of year 1948 regulates the Gambling Contracts under articles (739, 740) under Section 1 Gambling and Betting. Article (739) states that:
Any agreement relating to gambling or betting is void.
Anyone who loses in gambling or betting may, notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, reclaim what he has paid within three years from the time he paid what he has lost. He may prove such payment by all available means.
Article (740) provides that:
Bets between persons personally participating in sports are exempted from the provisions of article 739. A judge may, nevertheless, reduce the stakes if excessive.
Legally authorized lotteries are also exempted from article 739.
2. Is online gambling a regulated activity?
No.
3. Who are the regulators?
The Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities issues certain decrees to regulate the activities and operation of casinos that are established inside some hotels in Egypt and to impose royalties.
4. Do laws set out a clear licensing framework for gambling (including licensing process, criteria, submission requirements, licensing conditions and ongoing compliance requirements)
Yes. Article (24) of the Law no. 8 of year 2022 Regarding Hotel and Tourism Entities provides that:
Gambling games may not be played in facilities except for non-Egyptians, in accordance with the conditions and controls issued by a decision of the competent minister. The decision has to specify entities in which gambling may be played and the royalty for which it is entitled, provided that it does not exceed half of the revenues of the gambling games.
5. Is gambling regulation specific to:
5.1 Betting?
No.
5.2 Sports?
No.
5.3 Skill games?
No.
5.4 Card games?
No.
5.5 Casinos?
Yes. Regulated by decrees of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities.
5.6 Lotteries?
Yes. Regulated under Law no. 93 of year 1973.
5.7 Arcades?
No.
6. Are there Data Protection laws in place?
Yes. Personal data processed electronically are protected in accordance with the Egyptian Data Protection Law no. 151 of 2020.
6.1 If yes, do they apply extra territorially?
The Data Protection Law in Egypt regulates cross-border personal data transfer under articles 14 and 15.
7. Is there a Data Protection Regulator?
Yes. The Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology and the Data Protection Centre are the data protection regulators in Egypt.
8. Are there any exchange controls restricting the transfer of cash out of and into the country?
No.
9. Are there any tax implications of transferring cash in/out of the country?
Yes. Depends on the circumstances.
10. Are there any tax implications of offering trading activities remotely into the country?
Yes. Depends on circumstances.
