Ethiopia’s sports betting landscape has changed dramatically since the end of 2025. If you are wondering whether Megapari is legal in Ethiopia right now, the short answer is that no online betting operator — Megapari included — currently holds a valid license to offer services in the country. Here is what happened, what the restrictions mean for bettors, and what may come next.
The December 2025 Crackdown
On December 15, 2025, the Ethiopian Lottery Service (ELS) revoked the operating licenses of every sports betting company in Ethiopia. The decision followed a nationwide investigation that uncovered significant financial irregularities across the industry. Banks and payment providers were ordered to block all transactions linked to betting operators, and both online platforms and physical betting shops were told to cease operations immediately.
Before the shutdown, Ethiopia had nearly 200 licensed betting companies. The crackdown was prompted by allegations that operators had concealed billions of birr in revenue owed to the government. A draft audit later estimated the shortfall at around 27.5 billion birr — roughly $167 million — in unpaid obligations.
Where Megapari Stands
Megapari is an international sportsbook founded in 2019 and licensed in Anjouan, a jurisdiction in the Comoros Islands. It has never held an Ethiopian betting license. Since the ELS revoked all domestic licenses and no new licensing process has been announced, Megapari operates in Ethiopia as an offshore platform without local authorization.
In July 2026, the ELS issued a public warning reminding citizens that no sports betting organization is legally operating in Ethiopia. The regulator urged people not to deposit funds through websites, mobile apps, agents, or social media pages promoting betting services. This warning applies to all platforms, including international ones like Megapari.
What the Restrictions Mean for Bettors
The current situation creates several practical concerns for anyone considering using Megapari or similar offshore platforms in Ethiopia:
- No legal protection. Because no operator is licensed, Ethiopian bettors have no regulatory body to turn to in case of disputes over payouts, account issues, or unfair treatment.
- Payment difficulties. With banks and payment providers instructed to block betting-related transactions, depositing and withdrawing funds can be unreliable and risky.
- Enforcement activity. The government has continued to take action against betting enterprises well into 2026, with enforcement campaigns targeting dozens of operators as recently as August 2026.
Despite the ban, illegal betting has not disappeared. Investigations have shown that black-market betting activity has actually grown since the crackdown, with an estimated 20 billion birr in underground transactions recorded in September 2026 alone — a fourfold increase compared to 2023 figures.
Is a Relaunch Coming?
Ethiopian authorities have signaled that a permanent ban is not the long-term plan. At a parliamentary hearing in February 2026, senior government officials acknowledged that blocking betting entirely is unrealistic in the current global environment. The ELS has confirmed it is working on a new regulatory framework and a unified digital monitoring system to oversee operators’ financial and legal obligations.
However, no specific restart date has been announced, and no new licensing process is underway yet. The relaunch remains in the preparation stage, and any return of legal betting will likely come with significantly stricter rules around licensing fees, revenue reporting, and operational oversight.
The Bottom Line
Megapari is not legal in Ethiopia under the current regulatory environment. No sports betting operator — domestic or international — holds a valid license to offer services in the country. While the government appears to be moving toward reopening the market under tighter controls, that process has no confirmed timeline. Ethiopian bettors should be aware that using any betting platform right now comes without legal safeguards or consumer protection.
