Top-rated eSports gambling sites in Ethiopia

Esports gambling is highly popular and a widely accepted form of entertainment in Ethiopia. The country’s gambling framework offers several opportunities for bookies and eSports fans to wager on tournaments. However, gambling is regulated for land-based sports and unregulated for those who bet on egaming online. Let’s dive into the history of gambling in the country and how eSports is sparking an evolution in the market for gaming enthusiasts.

There are several popular online betting sites, which offer odds on eSports competitions. One of the long-standing platforms is NetBet, which provides players a user-friendly interface, as well as helpful statistics for informed wagering.

Top-rated eSports gambling sites in Ethiopia
History of eSports Gambling in Ethiopia

History of eSports Gambling in Ethiopia

Esports Nowadays in Ethiopia

With 28 sports and extensive gaming event listings, the platform is a leading Ethiopian online e-sportsbook. The casino is available in a variety of languages and provides a mix of tournaments for enthusiasts to place a wager.

One of the newer sportsbooks on the market is MegaPari. Launched in 2019, the online esports bookies offers opportunities to wager on more than 40 types of sports competitions. Developed to meet the growing demands of the industry, the website has an intuitive design.

It caters to eSports fans with a range of competitions to choose for placing a wager. As with hundreds of online esport bookmakers, new and seasoned gamblers enjoy attractive incentives, which help to attract new Ethiopian customers.

The rising popularity of the best eSports bookies in Ethiopia is hindered by the lack of widespread internet access. The country has indicated a willingness to sell up to 49 percent of its stake in telecom to offer citizens robust and expansive access to the internet by partnering with an outside telecom company.

However, eSports enthusiasts who currently access the internet in Ethiopia are driving the popularity of playing video games and participating in eSports competition.

Future of eSports Gambling in Ethiopia

Online gambling in Ethiopia is unregulated and digital wagering platforms welcome Ethiopian citizens who may access the internet. The company is planning to expand its participation in the online gaming sector within a few years, according to reports.

History of eSports Gambling in Ethiopia
History of Ethiopian Gambling

History of Ethiopian Gambling

European powers attempted to control Ethiopian territory in the 19th century. By 1936, Ethiopia overcame Italy when it invaded and stopped Italy’s occupation of the country. By 1961, Ethiopia laid the framework for a national lottery, which was revamped in 1981.

Since then, the nation’s Lottery Administration controls all gambling activity in the country. The administration oversees permits and fees. Ethiopia has a robust gambling market, which includes lottery, sports betting, online gambling, and land-based casino establishments.

Unfortunately, the country’s first online sports betting company went out of business due to limited access to the internet throughout the country. Internet connectivity has evolved in the last decade, offering expanded access. However, the government has plans to further expand access to web-based entertainment, including esports and online sports betting sites.

Ethiopia’s expansion into eSports rests solely on its ability to enhance the telecom sector. The country’s Ministry of Innovation met with the president of a US-based satellite company in June 2020, called Orion Ast to discuss the country’s space technology infrastructure.

Ethiopia’s expansion into satellite technology is one of the country’s first steps in improving its technological capacity. Investing in the telecoms sector is crucial, and the country has also met with several companies expressing interest in Ethiopia’s telecom auction.

History of Ethiopian Gambling
Legalization of eSports Betting in Ethiopia

Legalization of eSports Betting in Ethiopia

Although gambling is legal in Ethiopia, the country is still in the process of developing the expansive digital framework for increased oversight of online gambling activity. Gambling online is largely unregulated, and oversight of betting activity is primarily focused on licensed establishments.

Ethiopia is focused on protecting citizens from disreputable gambling establishments.

The country’s legal framework is in place to ensure that gamblers are fairly treated and those too young to wager are not allowed to participate in gambling activities. So, while Ethiopia welcomes legal gambling activities, illegal operators face serious repercussions for violating gambling regulations.

Still, the best esports bookies are attracting participation from Ethiopian citizens and are shaping the country’s online eSports industry in its infancy. Despite connectivity issues, eSports in the region continues to grow.

Legalization of eSports Betting in Ethiopia
Growing eSports Market

Growing eSports Market

In fact, sportsbook licensing is booming with more than 22 licensed sports betting brands in the country by 2020. However, not all companies are operating above board. In 2020, the gambling market faced challenges when critics accused operators of violating regulations by offering betting opportunities to underage gamblers. Ramifications of underage gambling include addiction and psychological impairment.

In response, the country invited universities to research the problem in hopes of developing a solution. Within a year of licensing the 22 companies, much needed revenue from sports betting generated more than $115,000 with 20 percent earmarked for social programs.

Esports gambling in Ethiopia is in its beginning stages. Popularity of video game titles and tournament prize pools are fueling interest from esports enthusiasts.

Growing eSports Market
Gambling Acts in Ethiopia

Gambling Acts in Ethiopia

In 2020, Ethiopia separated sports gambling from lotteries, as well as implemented laws to protect youths. With new rules, the Administration may offer better player protections for gaming activity under its purview. As Ethiopia plans to expand its participation in online and eSports related activity in the near term, the NLA may play a future role in overseeing the best esports bookmakers.

As of now, no specific guidelines exist to manage the eSports industry and associated gambling in the country. Therefore, no laws prohibit online gambling for gamers. Ethiopian players often frequent foreign operators with good reputations for treating gamblers well and facilitating fair payments.

Important Sports Policies in Ethiopia

There are some government agencies seeking a blanket ban on sports betting to protect youths from gambling addiction. Pointing to surveys that indicate sports betting is a threat to youth populations in the country, the country’s Women & Social Affairs Ministry led the call for the outright ban.

Local operators are pushing back on the movement to ban sports betting in the country, but the discussion is far from over. Despite NLA efforts to enforce new age restriction and tax requirement rules, the Ministry contends that the Administration lacks the resources to monitor all of Ethiopia’s betting establishments.

Gambling Acts in Ethiopia
Ethiopian players favorite esports games

Ethiopian players favorite esports games

Ethiopia’s esports market continues its expansive growth as more citizens participate in gaming opportunities and competitions. Future growth is closely aligned with the country’s ability to expand access to the internet thru partnerships with international telecom companies. Current gamers in the region play popular esports titles with global recognition.

FIFA

Due to its ease of play, the FIFA game offers Ethiopian gamers a simple entry into the video game market. Fiercely competitive competitions with lucrative pool prizes continue to attract new gamers in Ethiopia and beyond.

As one of the most popular global eSports games, FIFA is making its mark in Ethiopia and beyond. Enjoying widespread popularity, the title offers hours of football-based fun. As the Ethiopian government plans to expand eSports participation in the country in the near future, this title is bound to see a significant jump in interested gamers.

Counter-Strike

Ethiopia has several successful Counter-Strike: Global Offensive teams, which are targeting prize pool winnings at CS:GO tournaments. As one of eSports most popular games, CS:GO is a battle between determined teams vying for the right to claim victory. In a battle of wills, the teams try to take one another out in an action-packed adventure with twists and rewards.

Dota 2

With a growing gamer base in Ethiopia, Dota 2’s global popularity cements its place as one of the top games of interest in the country. Ethiopians who are interested in gaming and eSports participate in local and regional tournaments to defeat the competition.

With an expanded base of eSports players, Doda 2’s explosive popularity pits skilled teams against each other to see who will reign supreme in digital video game battles. With international pool prize money reach into the millions, Ethiopian gamers are eager to participate and win international competitions.

Ethiopian players favorite esports games
Esports Betting Payment Methods in Ethiopia

Esports Betting Payment Methods in Ethiopia

Web-based e-sportsbooks offer Ethiopian citizens several options for depositing funds into a new esport bookmaker account. Choices for transferring funds include credit cards, digital wallets, and bank transfers.

Esports Betting Payment Methods in Ethiopia
Cards

Cards

MasterCard and Visa have long provided international support to internet-based gambling operations. For eSports bettors, transferring money with a credit or bank card with the Visa or MasterCard logo is a straightforward process. Simply check the website to read instructions about how to deposit funds. By entering the requested information, a gambler may easily transfer funds from the card to the account almost instantly.

Cards
Bank Transfers

Bank Transfers

Some Ethiopian-based banks have the technology to allow a transfer directly from an account holders bank account to an online sportsbook account. Bank transfers may require more time for identity verification and processing.

However, deposits generally occur within minutes. Withdrawals may take up to a week, depending on the online sportsbooks terms and the bank/s policies. In most cases, bank transfers are a seamless process.

Digital Wallets

Web-based wallets are generally connected to a bank account or credit card. The wallet offers users a layer of protection, which alleviates giving sensitive information to an online casino or sportsbook. Instead, the digital wallet protects the account holder’s banking information.

Bank Transfers
FAQs

FAQs

How does a person wager on eSports in Ethiopia?

Avid eSports enthusiasts may access reputable, international sportsbooks to wager on regional and international eSports competition. Esports betting in Ethiopia is in the beginning stages. Although there are groups dedicated to expanding eSports across the continent of Africa, licensed betting establishments focus on traditional sports betting primarily.

As the government expands internet access by improving the country’s digital framework, citizens with web access may research online reviews to find the online gambling sites with the best terms, odds, and payout time frames. As online betting in Ethiopia is unregulated, citizens are free to discover new ways enjoy eSports gambling and entertainment.

Can a gamer make a living playing eSports in Ethiopia?

Ethiopian gamers are still working toward making a name in the crowded and competitive eSports market. However, any gamer who masters a specific video game and is passionate about winning in competition has an opportunity to build a career in eSports.

Available jobs include gamer, marketer, coach, and team owner. With sponsorship dollars and competition prizes reaching into the millions, gamers in Ethiopia are practicing and competing in tournaments for a chance to win lucrative international championship pool prizes.

FAQs