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Gambling and online casinos in Libya
Libya is one of the most closed countries in North Africa regarding gambling.
Since the establishment of Islamic law after the 1969 revolution
gambling was completely banned and declared incompatible with Islamic morality.
Today in Libya, casinos, lotteries, bookmakers and online gambling are prohibited by law,
and there are jail terms and fines for gambling.
Yet despite a decades-long ban,- in the age of digital technology and cryptocurrencies
- shadow online gambling arose in the country,
which is resorted to mainly by young users and the diaspora.
Religious and legal basis
Islam is the official religion of Libya,
and sharia (Islamic law) is the source of all laws.
The basic law of the country explicitly prohibits any form of activity,
contrary to the principles of Islam.
avoid them to succeed"
(Surah "Al-Ma'ida," verses 90-91)
Based on this norm, any gambling in Libya
are considered a sin and a criminal offense.
Until 1969, casinos existed in Tripoli and Benghazi,
aimed at foreign tourists,- but with the rise to power of Muammar Gaddafi
- all gambling establishments were closed,
and gambling is criminalized.
Legislation and punishments
Main provisions:1. Code of Islamic Punishment (Sharia-based) -
prohibits gambling, betting and lotteries in any form.
2. Libyan Penal Code (Art. 318-322) -
qualifies gambling as an "immoral act."3. Cybercrime Act (2014) -
includes online gambling in the list of actions "harmful to Islamic values."
In practice, laws are applied unevenly,
depending on the region and the degree of control of local authorities.
Real situation
After the civil war and the collapse of centralized power
control over the Internet and private activities has weakened.
This has led to an increase in illegal online gambling,
especially among the young residents of Tripoli, Misrata and Benghazi.
Key trends:- Using VPN to bypass locks (NordVPN, ProtonVPN, ExpressVPN);
- Bets on international offshore sites (1xBet, Stake, BetWinner, BC. Game);
- Settlements through cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Tether, Tron);
- Access via Telegram groups with mirrors and "anonymous codes";
- Interest in online sports, especially betting on football and e-sports.
According to the Africa iGaming Monitor 2024,
about 120,000 Libyan users visit offshore casino sites every month,
and the volume of shadow online gambling is estimated at $300 million per year.
Control and supervision
Control over the Internet in the country is fragmented,
since Libya is actually divided into several political zones:- Western Libya (Tripoli) - under the control of the Government of National Accord;
- Eastern Libya (Benghazi) - under the control of the Libyan National Army;
- The southern regions are zones of weak state presence.
Each side has its own approaches to regulating the Internet,
but in all regions gambling remains prohibited.
Main control bodies:- Libyan Ministry of the Interior - cybercrime investigation;
- Ministry of Communications and Information - blocking sites;
- Local Islamic committees - religious oversight and public pressure.
However, weak infrastructure and political instability
make complete suppression of online gambling impossible.
Online gambling and cryptocurrencies
Due to the lack of banking services and international payment systems- (sanctions, Visa and MasterCard blocking)
residents of Libya actively use cryptocurrencies.
Via Binance P2P, OKX and TronLink
players make deposits in USDT and Bitcoin,
anonymously gaining access to offshore casinos.
Cryptocurrencies have become the main tool for circumventing government restrictions,- but using them for gambling purposes
- officially equated to "illegal financial activity."
Social and cultural context
Libyan society is deeply religious and traditional.
Gambling is perceived as a moral crime and a Western evil.
Imams regularly condemn gambling at sermons,
and participation in it can lead to social shame.
However, among young people (especially educated and urbanized)- it is widely believed that online games are not a sin,
if they do not violate other people's rights and are not associated with deception.
"We can't open a casino here, but the internet belongs to everyone.
If I bet a couple of dollars on a match, it's not a sin, it's entertainment"
Economic aspect
Libya has rich oil reserves,
but due to political instability and sanctions, the economy is degrading.
The authorities do not consider gambling as a source of income,- and any attempts to discuss legalization
perceived as an attack on Islamic values.
However, experts note- that in the future stabilization of the country
- and the creation of "tourist zones" on the coast,
- possible scenario of partial legalization of gambling for foreigners,
following the example of Egypt or the UAE.
Prospects
No gambling reforms are expected in the coming years.
The ban will remain absolute,
and control is tight, especially in religious areas.
However, an unofficial market will continue to exist on the Internet,
based on cryptocurrencies and VPNs.
Legalization is possible only in the long term,- if Libya returns to a stable form of government
and will begin to develop tourism as a source of income.
Libya is an example of a country
where religion and the state are united in a complete ban on gambling.
Any form of gambling is a crime and a sin,
and there are no official casinos or lotteries.
excitement has moved to a network where VPNs and cryptocurrencies
have become the new "playroom" for those looking for risk.
- in matters of gambling,
but even here, gambling - albeit in the shadows - continues to exist.
