Lottery gambling operates in a legal grey area in Eritrea, as gambling is not explicitly forbidden by law but remains largely unregulated with no clear licensing framework established for lottery operations (1). The National Gambling Proclamation introduced in 2020 provides a regulatory framework for sports betting and outlines penalties for illegal gaming activities, though it does not specifically address lottery operations (2).
While some informal scratch-off lotteries became widespread during the 2010s despite the lack of explicit regulation or licensing, all forms of formal gambling including lotteries generally face restrictions due to the country's strong Islamic influence (2). Eritrea's legal system is heavily influenced by Islamic law and local cultural values which fundamentally oppose gambling activities, creating a challenging environment for any gambling operations (1).
"In other jurisdictions like Eritrea and Guinea Bissau, gambling is not forbidden by law but largely unregulated."
The absence of specific lottery legislation in Eritrea creates legal ambiguity, with the government not establishing licensing procedures for lottery or other gambling operators (2). Unlike many African nations that are beginning to regulate gambling activities, Eritrea maintains its position of leaving gambling largely unregulated while cultural and religious opposition suggests future liberalization remains unlikely (1).
Source:
https://focusgn.com/africa/legal-gambling-in-africa-a-country-by-country-analysis
https://legalpilot.com/country/eritrea/
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
