The Ethiopian National Lottery Administration (NLA) is the sole government agency authorized to organize and manage lottery games under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Lottery operations were first established by Proclamation No. 183/1961 and later reestablished by Proclamation No. 535/2007, ensuring that the sale of lottery tickets through authorized channels is legal in Ethiopia (1)(2).
Under Proclamation No. 535/2007, the NLA holds exclusive authority to issue permits, supervise ticket distribution, and enforce compliance. Any lottery activity conducted without a valid permit is expressly prohibited, and regional revenue agencies assist in harmonizing enforcement across federal and local jurisdictions (1).
"No person may undertake lottery activities without having a permit issued by the Administration. It is prohibited to transfer a permit issued to undertake lottery activities without the consent of the Administration. The Administration may issue an order to stop unauthorized lottery activities and prosecute offenders." (1)
In practice, individuals may legally purchase lottery tickets only from licensed NLA retail outlets or through approved digital platforms. Consumers should verify the vendor’s permit and look for NLA branding to ensure compliance with Ethiopian law (2).
Source:
https://www.fsc.gov.et/Digital-Law-Library/Federal-Laws/tag/national-lottery-administration-re-estab-lishment-
https://www.ethiolottery.et
Last updated: 20-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
