Short answer: in Egypt, gambling is essentially illegal for Egyptian citizens, but the law leaves a narrow opening for foreigners – casinos inside licensed hotels and tourism facilities may only be used by “non-Egyptians”. The Civil Code makes gambling and betting contracts void, the Penal Code punishes running gambling premises, and gambling games are banned in cafés and other public shops. Online casinos and online sports betting have no licensing system at all, so they are unlicensed activities, and over the past two years the government has been blocking betting apps and preparing legislation with tougher penalties.
For PRC passport holders planning to work or live in Cairo, Alexandria or Sharm El Sheikh, this means: entering a compliant hotel casino as a foreigner may be permitted under Egyptian law, but online betting enjoys no protection, money disputes are almost impossible to recover, and Chinese criminal law separately covers organising or recruiting Chinese citizens to gamble abroad. This page covers regulation only, recommends no operators, and is intended for adult readers aged 18+.
Is gambling legal in Egypt? The legal position at a glance
Egypt has no single “gambling act”. The rules are spread across the Civil Code, the Penal Code, the public shops law and the hotel and tourism facilities law. The table below summarises the position as of October 2026, relying mainly on reports of the Egyptian legal texts and using law-firm guides as a supplement.
| Type | Legal status | Main basis |
|---|---|---|
| Casinos in hotels/tourism facilities | Non-Egyptians only, in facilities designated by ministerial decision | Law No. 8 of 2022 on hotel and tourism facilities, Art. 24 |
| Other land-based gambling premises | Illegal; opening gambling premises to the public is a crime | Penal Code Art. 352 (amended 1955) |
| Gambling games in cafés and public shops | Prohibited | Public Shops Law No. 371 of 1956, Art. 19 |
| Gambling and betting contracts | Void; the loser may reclaim payments within 3 years | Civil Code (Law No. 131 of 1948), Art. 739 |
| National lottery | Lotteries authorised by law are legal | Civil Code Art. 740; Law No. 93 of 1973 (per CMS guide) |
| Online casinos, online sports betting | No licensing system, unlicensed; being blocked, criminalisation planned | Statements by parliament and regulators, 2025–2026 |
Land-based casinos: hotel casinos for foreigners only
The key provision is Article 24 of Law No. 8 of 2022 on hotel and tourism facilities: gambling games may not be played in facilities except by non-Egyptians. The conditions and controls are issued by decision of the competent minister, which must name the facilities where gambling is allowed and the royalty payable, capped at half of gambling revenue. The competent minister is the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, so day-to-day licensing and supervision sit with that ministry, while policing is handled by the Ministry of Interior and the public prosecution.
Industry media report that existing casinos are concentrated in international-brand hotels in places such as Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh and operate in foreign currency. We could not find a public list of licensed casinos from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, so this page names no venues; for venue types and common entry requirements, see our guide to casinos in Egypt. Bring your original passport – the “non-Egyptians only” rule is normally enforced by checking passports, and dual nationals holding Egyptian citizenship count as Egyptians.
The law does not authorise anyone to organise card games, dice or betting outside hotels. Private games organised within Chinese community circles – even among friends – may fall under Penal Code Art. 352 on gambling premises once outsiders are recruited or a cut is taken.
Online casinos and betting: no licences, active blocking
Egypt has never created an online gambling licensing regime. The CMS law firm’s Africa gambling guide states plainly that online gambling is “not a regulated activity” in Egypt. In other words, online casinos and sports betting sites targeting Egyptian users have no local licence; players get no consumer protection and cannot rely on Egyptian courts to recover winnings – under Civil Code Art. 739 the gambling contract itself is void.
Since 2024 enforcement has tightened noticeably: a large offshore betting brand was reportedly removed from app stores in September 2024, and in February 2026 Ahmed Badawi, chair of the House Communications and IT Committee, said the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation were working together to block about 80% of online betting apps, and that blocked apps would not be allowed to return. The NTRA’s legal mandate is set out in the Telecom Regulation Law No. 10 of 2003 on its website. More on the risks of online gambling is on our online casinos in Egypt page.
Using offshore betting sites in Egypt is an unlicensed activity; frozen accounts, blocked withdrawals, data leaks and telecom fraud are common. This site does not provide any way to access such sites or bypass blocking.
2026 legislative developments: amending the IT Crimes Law
There are two legislative tracks. One is a private member’s bill tabled by MP Martha Mahrous in January 2025, with penalties graded by role. The other is the government’s own draft amendment to IT Crimes Law No. 175 of 2018; in May 2026 Badawi said the most serious cases (such as organised criminal networks and large-scale fraud) could carry up to life imprisonment. Media reports of the draft’s details differ – one report, for example, cited up to 7 years in prison and fines of up to EGP 500,000 for operators of betting apps.
As of 24 September 2026, Badawi still said the amendments would go to parliament “next month”, covering online betting, defamation and online fraud. By our check date (26 October 2026) we found no report that the amendment had been passed, and there is no official text yet on whether ordinary users would be penalised. We will update this page once the law is enacted.
Age, tax and advertising rules
Minimum age
Egyptian law has no published single “gambling age”. Since Egyptian citizens are excluded altogether, the rules effectively apply only to foreign tourists and foreign residents; hotel casinos generally set their own entry age and check passports, so the venue’s rules apply. Wherever you are, all gambling content on this site is for adults aged 18+ only.
Are gambling winnings taxed?
The law-firm material we reviewed shows no specific personal income tax provision for casino winnings in Egypt; the CMS guide only says the tax treatment of related cross-border payments “depends on the circumstances”. The casino itself pays the state a royalty of up to half of gaming revenue. If you are an Egyptian tax resident with a large win, consult a local accountant. Remember too that a Chinese tax resident’s foreign income may need to be reported in China – see our article on tax residency.
Advertising
Egypt has no licensing framework that would permit gambling advertising, so there is no legal channel to promote gambling. The Supreme Council for Media Regulation has been involved in blocking betting apps, and the Mahrous bill also targets those who sponsor or promote platforms. In October 2024 the Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwa publicly said online betting apps are forbidden gambling, and religious institutions’ positions also shape public opinion.
What Chinese citizens should know: Chinese criminal law and money risks
Article 303 of China’s Criminal Law covers the crimes of gambling and running a casino; Criminal Law Amendment (XI), in force since 1 March 2021, added the offence of “organising PRC citizens to participate in gambling outside the country (territory)”. These provisions mainly target organising and operating gambling and recruiting Chinese citizens to gamble abroad, rather than tourists who simply play at a lawful venue. However, placing bets for others, running chat groups, introducing online platforms or collecting and paying gambling money within the Chinese community in Egypt may breach both Egyptian and Chinese law.
- Check the venueOnly visit casinos operating openly inside hotels; avoid private games
- Bring your passportCasinos admit by nationality and usually check at the door
- Set a budgetBring only cash you can afford to lose; never borrow or play on credit
- Refuse proxy bettingDo not bet for others, introduce online platforms or handle payments
- Watch foreign exchangeKeep receipts for large currency exchanges and transfers
On money: Chinese individuals have an annual facilitated foreign-exchange quota equivalent to USD 50,000, which may not be used for purposes such as gambling abroad – see our foreign exchange guide. Paying offshore betting platforms with a bank card in Egypt may also be stopped or frozen by bank risk controls.
Responsible gambling and where to get help
Egypt has no dedicated problem-gambling support body or self-exclusion register, unlike places with mature regulation such as the UAE or South Africa (compare gambling laws in the UAE). The public resources we could find are the psychological support hotline 16328 of the Ministry of Health and Population’s General Secretariat of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, and hotline 16023 of the Fund for Drug Control and Treatment of Addiction (mainly for drug addiction). The lines mainly operate in Arabic, so ask an Arabic-speaking colleague or friend to help. For help in Chinese, contact a psychological support hotline in China or find a Chinese-speaking counsellor online.
If you find yourself chasing losses, betting behind your family’s back or borrowing to gamble, stop and seek help. Gambling is only for adults aged 18+, and it should be optional entertainment, not a way to make money.
Comparison with nearby countries
In Africa, Egypt is among the strictest countries for its own citizens. Kenya and Nigeria both have gambling regulators and license online betting – see gambling laws in Kenya and gambling laws in Nigeria. Living in Egypt, your time is better spent on the pyramids, Luxor’s temples and Red Sea diving (see landmarks in Egypt), and on the football Egyptians love (see sports in Egypt). For visas, work and daily life, return to our Egypt country guide.
FAQ
Can Chinese citizens enter casinos in Egypt?
Under Art. 24 of Law 8/2022, licensed hotel casinos are open only to non-Egyptians, and foreigners holding Chinese passports fall into that group. Follow the venue’s rules, and keep in mind China’s criminal law provisions on organising and recruiting for gambling abroad.
Is it legal to use betting apps in Egypt?
No. Egypt has no online gambling licences, regulators are blocking such apps, and parliament is preparing to criminalise online betting.
Who regulates gambling in Egypt?
Hotel casinos are governed by decisions of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities; online blocking is carried out by the NTRA and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation; criminal enforcement lies with the Ministry of Interior and the public prosecution.
Can I bring casino winnings back to China?
There is no special cross-border channel for casino winnings; large sums crossing the border must be declared with their origin explained. In China, gambling abroad is not a permitted purpose for buying foreign exchange, so keep proof of lawful origin.
This page is general regulatory information, not legal or tax advice, and does not encourage gambling. See our disclaimer.
Sources
- Parlmany (parliamentary news): Article 24 of Law No. 8 of 2022 on hotel and tourism facilities (Feb 2023) (accessed October 2026)
- CMS law firm: Expert Guide to Gambling Laws in Africa – Egypt (accessed October 2026)
- Mohamah.net (Egyptian legal portal): gambling and running a gambling house (Penal Code Art. 352, Law 371/1956 case law) (accessed October 2026)
- Yogonet: Egypt to block online betting sites (9 Feb 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- iGaming Business: Egypt parliament moves to criminalise online betting (23 Jun 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Sada El Balad: Parliament prepares amendments to IT Crimes Law 175/2018 on online betting (13 May 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Sada El Balad: House Communications Committee says IT law amendments due next month (24 Sep 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- SBC News: Egypt 1xBet blocking (10 Feb 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- Youm7: Al-Azhar Fatwa Center warns betting apps are forbidden gambling (16 Oct 2024) (accessed October 2026)
- National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA): Telecom Regulation Law No. 10 of 2003 (accessed October 2026)
- TherapyRoute: Suicide hotlines and crisis lines in Egypt (accessed October 2026)
- NPC of China: Criminal Law Amendment (XI) of the People’s Republic of China (accessed October 2026)
- BankLive: CNY to EGP exchange rate (26 Oct 2026) (accessed October 2026)
