Although Egypt is an Islamic country, the government maintains lenient laws regarding online gambling. Unlike other Islamic countries, it doesn’t fine or arrest punters who place wagers on online betting sites.
TOP Betting Sites in Egypt
The country hasn’t taken steps to block online bookies in the country, but you still need to ensure that you sign up on licensed betting sites. Otherwise, you are likely to get scammed. It is worth noting that gambling culture goes back thousands of years in Egypt, and this may be why the government has had trouble eliminating the practice completely. In this guide, we will cover some of the best bookies for Egyptian gamblers.
Egyptian gamblers have lots of choices when it comes to online betting sites. However, we have narrowed down the list to the five best betting sites. Let’s look at these platforms.
888Sport
888sport has been in business since 1997 and is now one of the biggest betting sites in the world. The bookie has a big presence in Egypt. Since it is licensed by the MGA, the bookie offers a secure betting service. You can use the site to bet on sports or play different casino games.
This operator covers a wide range of sports, including football, rugby league, rugby union, volleyball, and American football. Customers of 888Sport can also punt on various e-sports. On this site, the odds can be viewed in three different formats, including decimal, American, and fractional. 888Sport also offers excellent in-play betting prices, so you will stand to make great profits.
- Pros:
- It is a strong brand and has developed a great reputation.
- It accepts a wide range of deposit options, including PayPal and Visa.
- You can cash out your wagers at any time.
- Cons:
- You can’t use cryptocurrencies to gamble on 888Sport.
Bet365
The name Bet365 belongs to another famous sports betting brand, having been in business since the Millenium. It is based in the United Kingdom and even operates betting shops in the country. However, punters in Egypt can always sign up on the site, and they will be protected by the company’s license.
When placing wagers at Bet365, you will be able to follow horse races and greyhound races using the native radio station. There is also a live streaming service available on the site. To learn more about sports and recent events, you can follow the Bet365 podcasts. Some sports featured on this bookie include football, basketball, and handball.
- Pros:
- You can access enhanced odds at William Hill.
- You can request odds on Twitter using the #YourOdds hashtag.
- It is a secure bookie.
- The welcome offer is average.
- Cons:
- The welcome offer is average.
Sportaza
Sportaza is an international betting site that accepts punters from Egypt. The site is owned and operated by Rabidi N.V., a company that is incorporated under Curacao laws. As such, the bookie is extremely secure. Like many other betting sites, this one requires all its members to be at least 18 years old.
This betting site has an excellent VIP program, which is organized in five tiers. In this program, you will enjoy benefits like increased monthly withdrawal limits, a higher cashback bonus, and the chance to work with a VIP manager. Another benefit of Sportaza is that it accepts deposits made using lots of options, including Visa, MasterCard, PaysafeCard, Neteller, and cryptocurrencies.
- Pros:
- It has a generous VIP program.
- It offers cashback bonuses.
- You can deposit funds using cryptocurrencies such as BTC and LTC.
- Cons:
- It doesn’t have any mobile apps.
Melbet
The brand Melbet is one of the new betting sites in Egypt, and it has already become very popular in the country. The bookie has a gambling license from the government of Curacao. Therefore, you will not suffer any forms of fraud on the platform. The site is owned and operated by Pelican Entertainment N.V.
Melbet has very low minimum deposit limits, and you can also place very small deposits. This makes it great for beginners and punters who have to manage smaller bankrolls. Another benefit of Melbet is that it offers high-quality customer support. You can access the agents using live chat and email, both of which are great for punters.
- Pros:
- It offers live chat support.
- It features low deposit limits.
- The mobile version of Melbet is quite good.
- Cons:
- The design of the site is poor.
Betwinner
If you are wondering where to bet in Egypt, you should consider using this betting platform. This is a valid betting service that is regulated by the government of Curacao. With the gambling license, Betwinner has to follow strict rules when dealing with customer funds. It also has to ensure that all its customers are at least 18 years old.
This bookie is known for offering a wide selection of e-sports betting options. Some of the e-sports covered on the platform are Age of Empires, CS: GO, and King of Glory. The sportsbook also offers in-play betting options, and some of the sports covered here are football, ice hockey, and volleyball.
- Pros:
- The site features a range of betting markets.
- You can deposit money with more than 100 banking options.
- The website is secure as it is developed with SSL encryption.
- Cons:
- Customer support is not very good.
Why Choose Online Betting in Egypt
As a gambler in Egypt, online sportsbooks are the only option you have. Fortunately, these bookies are developed to be quite good and will give you very high odds.
Is Online Betting Legal in Egypt?
Gambling is strongly prohibited in Islam since Muslims are expected to generate wealth by working hard. However, the Islamic government of Egypt has not gotten around to tackling online gambling. It generally ignores the issue and does not go after individual punters. Also, betting sites are not blocked from operating in the country.
Trivia
- Citizens of Egypt can access betting services on the internet, and there are no legal consequences for this action.
- There are many land-based casinos in the country, including one that is on a Nile River cruise. These casinos are only open to tourists.
- Most bookies don’t support payments made with the Egyptian pound, so you may have to make deposits using the USD, EUR, or GBP.
- The legal gambling age in Egypt is 18, but some casinos will require gamblers to be at least 21 years old.
- Land-based casinos in Egypt mostly accept the USD, but others will take the Euro as well.
- Gambling in Egypt goes back to about 3000 BC when the first anti-gambling laws of the country were set up.
Are there restrictions on Egyptian players by some bookmakers?
You will only be able to join Egyptian betting sites if you are at least 18 years old. Aside from this, the betting sites don’t have other restrictions for Egyptian punters.
Gambling Facts at a Glance
- Currency – Egyptian pound
- Population – 102.3 million
- Active players – About 13 million
- Regulatory authority – Ministry of Tourism
- Licensed gambling products – Blackjack, baccarat, poker, slots
- Types of operators – Land-based casinos
How to Choose the Right Online Betting Site
Before settling on a specific betting site, you should consider a number of betting features. One of these is the in-play betting section. In this section, you should be able to access a range of matches and betting markets. The site should also offer high odds in the in-play betting section. You should also look at the cash-out feature and ensure that it is available for lots of events.
Although live streaming is a rather rare feature, it is still available on a number of bookies in the country. You should, therefore, try and find a bookie that offers high-quality live streams. Another essential feature to check is the bet builder. This feature allows punters to create ACCA bets conveniently.
Bonuses for Egyptian Players
Bookies have lots of bonuses for Egypt customers, and these are offered to new and existing customers. The most common type of bonus is the match offer, where your deposits will be matched by a certain percentage. You can also get free bets, and these are simply granted as free money.
Usually, the free bet will be removed after the wager, but you will retain your winnings. Another common bonus is the moneyback offer, which will guarantee you a refund when specific events occur. Before you claim a bonus in online bookies, it is essential to go through the terms and conditions of the offers. It is especially important to look at the rollover requirements of the bonuses.
Most Popular Sports to Bet on in Egypt
Sports have been a major part of the history of Egypt. Today, punters in the country mostly enjoy placing wagers on football, martial arts, golf, badminton, and beach handball. While these are the most popular options for Egyptian punters, bookies in the country try to cover lots of other sports and events.
Mobile Betting in Egypt
Mobile betting is growing in popularity among players in Egypt. Today, almost all betting services have come up with optimized mobile sites, so you should be able to place wagers when on the go. The top bookmakers in Egypt have also developed mobile apps, and these will give you a better user experience.
Are Online Casinos Popular in Egypt?
Online casinos are not restricted by the Egyptian government, so citizens and permanent residents can sign up on platforms that accept Egyptian players. The best online casinos in Egypt offer games such as online slot machines, roulette, baccarat, bingo, and poker. If you enjoy live casino games, you can also join these online casinos.
Supported Payment Methods
Egyptian punters can deposit money using many different banking options. Some of the most popular options are Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, and bank transfer. Egyptian bookies will also allow you to make deposits and withdrawals using cryptocurrencies like BTC. The transaction periods will vary depending on the bookie and payment methods you select.
Egyptian casinos are taxed heavily on their gross revenue, but punters don’t need to pay any taxes on their earnings. Online gambling is not even regulated by the government of Egypt.
FAQs
Which are the best bookies for Egyptian punters?
As you can see from our list of online betting sites in Egypt, the best bookies available are 888Sport, William Hill, Sportaza, Melbet, and Betwinner.
Can I access betting sites bonuses in Egyptian bookies?
Yes, you can use betting sites bonuses when punting on Egyptian betting sites. The bonuses will vary from one bookie to another, but they are typically granted in the form of free bets, match bonuses, and moneyback offers.
Is online betting legal in Egyptian bookies?
Although the government of Egypt doesn’t allow citizens to place wagers in physical bookies, it doesn’t go after punters who use online betting sites. Therefore, you can safely punt on these platforms.
Will I have to pay any taxes on my gambling winnings as an Egyptian gambler?
No, the government of Egypt doesn’t tax citizens when they win in online bookies. You will be free to keep 100% of your winnings.
What is the legal betting age in Egypt?
Tourists can only access Egyptian casinos if they are at least 18 years old. However, other places will only accept punters who are 21 years or older. In most online bookies, you will be allowed to place bets if you are over the age of 18.
Can I use Bitcoin when gambling in Egyptian betting sites?
Yes, lots of betting sites allow Egyptian gamblers to make deposits and withdrawals using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. It is worth noting that the use of Bitcoin is fairly common in the country, and several traders even exchange the Egyptian pound for Bitcoin.
Is it safe to punt on Egyptian betting sites?
You can safely place wagers on online betting sites in Egypt. In order to ensure your safety, you should always use sites that have SSL encryption. Also, the bookies have to be licensed by reputable bodies like the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
Can I create multiple online betting accounts?
Yes, you can create multiple online betting accounts. However, you should avoid creating multiple accounts on one betting site as this would be in violation of their terms and conditions. To verify your identity, you will have to submit documents like your passport.
Final Comments
Egypt stands out among Islamic countries in that it has legalized gambling. However, land-based casinos and bookies are only available to tourists. As a citizen or permanent resident of Egypt, you can consider signing up on online betting sites. At the moment, the best bookies in the country are 888Sport, William Hill, Sportaza, Melbet, and Betwinner.
All these platforms are licensed by foreign governments, so punters in Egypt will be protected from fraud. When selecting a betting site, you should consider the available sports, the available betting markets, and the supported deposit options. Since the Egyptian government doesn’t regulate online gambling, it cannot collect taxes on player winnings. This works to the advantage of online punters.
