Best eSports Casinos in Egypt: Top 10 Casino Websites 2023

Is esports betting popular in Egypt?

The advantages may range from excellent customer service, diverse payment options, and an extensive array of betting markets. Perhaps the only drawback of overseas bookmakers is the lack of Arabic language and transactions in the Egyptian pound. But these shouldn't be an issue since the best esports betting sites for Egypt tick both boxes.

More than any other form of gambling, esports betting in Egypt is popular on mobile platforms. Sportsbooks accepting Egyptians are fully optimized for mobile to accommodate the growing number of on-the-go gamers. Our recommended sites come with dedicated apps, downloadable on Android and iOS devices. Whether playing on flash mode or app version, bettors will find the same features and number of esports betting markets.

History of esports betting in Egypt

Even before 2000 BC, ancient Egypt held various athletic events, including weightlifting, wrestling, and ball games. The country has always embraced sporting activities, and it is no wonder there's a booming online eSports betting industry. The 1990s saw tremendous growth of internet games in Egypt with the introduction of cybercafes. Video gaming became a crucial entertainment aspect, particularly with the young generation who would prefer virtual games over hanging out with friends. The popularization of video gaming culture motivates developers to release new titles almost every month.

Esports betting in Egypt can be traced back to 2009. Since then, eSports promoters have seen the Middle Eastern nation as a key target market. Having Egyptian sportspeople competing on a global scale puts the nation in the spotlight. For example, Mohamed Salah was a major contributor to Egypt's success at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, as his team reached the finals with the help of the star striker. In conjunction with teammate Sadio Mane, he was awarded the Golden Boot. According to reports, WorldPay handled 78 betting transactions throughout the event, so interest in Salah would have led to a surge in interest from Egypt.

Esports nowadays in Egypt

Esports betting in Egypt is highly accessible. The younger generation looks up to professional athletes and gamers, so they keep tabs on trending global events. Even though they cannot challenge superstars like Mohamed Salah, they have a chance to play with eSports pros over the internet. Africa competing against the rest of the world is a significant disadvantage, but Egypt has witnessed an exponential rise in pastime activities. Egyptians have shown a keen interest in online gaming. This is thanks to advancements in broadband speeds, increased availability of gaming consoles, and low data costs.

A recent event that led to rapid growth in esports betting was the popular Internet gaming event Insomnia hosted in Cairo in 2018. Its prize pool went slightly over EGP 500,000, featuring a series of mini-tournaments. An esports Summit was held the same year by the Gaming Lounge. Then the Power Lounge Gaming started hosting several Grand Slams every year. Over time, professional sports teams coordinators have become interested in investing in eSports to expand their business lines. The Pyramids FC, a famous local football club in Egypt, started organizing championships where players compete in FIFA for amazing prizes of up to E£1 million.

Future of esports betting in Egypt

As the industry continues to expand, more investors are showing their readiness to invest in esports. One of the biggest online communities in Egypt, GBarena, announced that an angel investor offers millions to support the group's endeavors. More than 60% of online gaming revenue comes from advertising and sponsorships. In recent years, media rights have also gained considerable importance, and this is expected to continue in the near future. While Egypt's esports industry is yet to reach its full potential, it might be heading in a better direction with the investments mentioned above.

There is a great deal of interest, and the sky is the limit for young people in the country. A proper environment and fair and open competition with international players are all they need.

Online gaming is all about speed. Lagging can be a significant issue, especially when it comes to competing at the international level. Once the government and big companies implement efficient gaming servers, the Egyptians will be on an equal footing with more developed nations.

Are casinos legal in Egypt?

Gambling is not criminalized in Egypt, and there are more casinos in the country than anywhere else in the Arab world. More than 20 brick-and-mortar casinos operate on a cruise liner that travels along the Nile River. Most casinos are concentrated in Cairo, the capital city, while the rest are located in touristic resorts scattered across Taba, Alexandria, and Sharm el Sheikh. The Egyptian government recognizes gambling as an important source of national revenue. As such, they allow foreigners to gamble while on vacation. Only foreign tourists are allowed in land-based casinos.

In Cairo, casino complexes operate round-the-clock and require all players to be at least 21 years old. In Sharm el Sheikh, visitors must be 18 years or older to gain access, and the activities run from 8 pm to 5 pm. Blackjack, roulette, slot machines, and poker are the most played casino games.

Online casinos in Egypt are yet to be established since there is no jurisdiction for their operation. Egyptian gamblers, however, play at international sites without any restrictions. Overseas casinos are not banned by any local law. Most casinos designed for Egyptian audiences are available in the Arabic language. They accept the EGP, EUR, and USD.

Esports legislation in Egypt

No legislation prohibits or regulates esports betting in Egypt at any level. The federal government doesn't appear to be regulating online gambling anytime soon. As such, players don't need to worry about online esports betting. It is unclear whether any domestic sportsbooks will be licensed in the next few years. There are many accusations of Internet censorship and monitoring in Egypt at the moment. If government officials have to deal with internet-related issues, they likely feel there is a bigger fish to fry. In a hypothetical future scenario in which a licensing process is established, there is no way to know how it would be implemented.

Due to the lack of proper eSports legislation in Egypt, the government doesn't offer protection to citizens who indulge in online esports betting. Similarly, there are no specific options for processing esports betting payments in the country. For this matter, Egyptian punters use internationally recognized methods like Visa, MasterCard, and e-wallets. Many have al embraced esports betting sites with cryptocurrencies.

Betting acts in Egypt

In Egypt, gambling laws are primarily based on Sharia, which considers gambling illegal. The prescription was incorporated into the Criminal Code of Egypt in 1937 and subsequently amended in 1992. The 1937 Penal Code stipulates that any gambling operator can face detention and a monetary fine of up to 1,000 EGP. The same decree prohibits lottery games and ticket sales of the same. However, the interdiction excludes state-regulated casinos in Cairo and other cities.

According to the Criminal Code Book 3 Article 352-353, Egyptian citizens are not allowed to play games of chance within the country. Only tourists can bet in designated spots, but they must provide valid passports and meet the minimum legal age to access those places.

The Ministry of Tourism is in charge of monitoring land-based betting. It is the custodian of law number 1 of 1973 regarding touristic hotel activities. The law allows licensing of casinos that are based in 5 and 4-star resorts.

Online esports betting is not legal as of November 2018 as per the Islamic Sharia. So, no online betting sites are on offer. Even though the ban is clear-cut, many European sportsbooks have penetrated the country to provide betting services. Esports betting is among the few types of gambling available to the residents.

Egyptian players favorite games

A growing number of esports games are entering the betting scene, but the best esports betting sites in Egypt focus on certain titles. Here are the best eSports games fans from Egypt seem to have a keen interest in.

LoL: League of Legends

The MOBA title was released in 2009 by Riot Games. Even though LoL tournaments do not feature equal prizes as other titles, punters from across the board continue to bet on it professionally. Asian teams like Dawmon Gaming and FunPlus Phoenix have dominated in the World Championship for the last few years. LoL is a 5v5 eSport with matches coming with numerous betting opportunities, including destroy inhibitor, slay baron, and destroy a tower.

CS: GO: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

It is one of Egypt's most sought-after games for online esports betting. Launched in 2012 by Valve, this first-person shooter game sees more than 10 million players from around the world every month. CS: GO tournaments are broadcast on live streaming platforms. The most common betting markets are the rounds handicap. Map winner, and total rounds.

That's not all. Other favorite eSports for Egyptian punters are:

Dota 2
Call of Duty
Overwatch
VALORANT

In addition, the following events, leagues, and tournaments prevail in the best eSports betting sites in Egypt.

CS: GO Major Championships
Intel Extreme Masters
League of Legends World Championship
Fortnite Champion Series
Hearthstone World Championships
The International (Dota 2)
Overwatch League
Starcraft II World Championship
Fortnite World Cup
Call of Duty League Championship

Payment methods in Egypt

The kind of payment method available for esports betting in Egypt is a critical aspect of quality betting. It may directly affect the amount to deposit or withdraw at a particular site. Bettors also want to know the transaction time frames and potential charges before placing a real-money wager. Provided below are the most preferred banking methods at Egyptian-focused sportsbooks and possible charges.

MasterCard: Zero fees
Visa: Zero fees
Wire transfer: Depends on the specific bank
Neteller: 1.5% per transaction
Skrill: 1%
PayPal: 5% for international transfers with a minimum of $0.99 and a maximum of $4.99
Cryptocurrency: Nearly zero fees

PayPal started working in Egypt in 2015 and serves a population of over 2 million. Numerous Egyptian banks support PayPal. Players can also incorporate their cards, e.g., AMEX, with this e-wallet. The best thing about sportsbooks targeted at Egyptians is that they accept the Egyptian pound to help players avoid extra transaction costs.

FAQs

Is esports Betting Legal in Egypt?

Yes. Online eSports betting is legal in Egypt. However, there are no specific betting laws governing the sector. Most Egyptian gamblers use international bookmakers to place bets on CS: GO, LoL, and other games.

Are there reliable esports sites in Egypt?

Yes. Many top sportsbooks can be trusted with players' money and confidential details. They are licensed in the UK, Curacao, or Malta.

Do esports betting sites in Egypt accept PayPal?

PayPal is a popular option for depositing and withdrawing at Egyptian bookies. The e-wallet provides instant transfers and semi-anonymous gaming.

Do sportsbooks give bonuses to Egyptian players?

Yes. Many European bookmakers looking to expand their reach in Egypt offer irresistible bonuses to attract players from this country. Such offers include welcome bonuses, free bets, reload bonuses, VIP promotions, etc.

Are new betting sites worth a try?

The Egyptian betting industry relies mainly on overseas providers. These can be African or European sites.

Do sportsbook sites provide in-play esports betting?

Due to the influx of online bookmakers, live betting has become easily accessible. Egyptians enjoy live streaming services from top operators.

Can Egyptian players bet on elections?

No. Egypt does not provide a betting market on domestic elections. However, players can bet on elections from other countries on international bookies.

Top-rated eSports gambling sites in Egypt