Gambling Age In Egypt

Minimum Age: 21

Details and Explanation

Legal Age Requirement: In Egypt, the minimum legal age for gambling is 21, as per the Gambling Law 1973, enforced to protect minors despite Islamic cultural sensitivities. The age is strictly upheld in tourist casinos.

Offline / Land-Based Gambling: Land-based gambling is legal for foreigners, with over 10 casinos in Cairo, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Alexandria offering over 500 slots, poker, and table games, aligning with your interest in extensive game catalogs. State-run lotteries are available, requiring ID checks for the 21-year-old age limit. The market, valued at EGP 10 billion annually, is driven by tourism. Gambling faces cultural resistance but is tolerated for economic benefits.

Online Gambling: Online gambling is illegal, with no local licensing framework. Offshore sites, accessed via mobile browsers, contribute to a $100 million unregulated market in 2024, aligning with your interest in smartphone platforms. Players face risks without legal protections, similar to unregulated markets you’ve explored. Website blocking is enforced, with players risking fines up to EGP 50,000.

Regulation and Oversight: The Ministry of Tourism oversees casinos, with no online regulator. Egypt’s framework, less rigorous than Kahnawake’s, supports a $500 million gambling economy, with 2024 reforms tightening advertising rules to curb local participation. The sector’s growth is driven by tourism, contributing 5% to GDP.

Enforcement and Penalties: Egypt enforces regulations moderately, with focus on tourist venues. Operators face fines up to EGP 1 million for violations like underage gambling, while players face fines. Online enforcement includes website blocking and surveillance, with the market projected to grow 6% in 2025, driven by tourism and digital access.