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 has been completely banned and declared incompatible with Islamic morality.

Today in Libya, casinos, lotteries, bookmakers and online gambling are prohibited by law, and prison terms and fines are provided for participation in gambling.

Nevertheless, despite the long-term ban, in the era of digital technologies and cryptocurrencies, shadow online gambling has emerged 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.

Based on this norm, any gambling in Libya is considered a sin and a criminal offense.

Until 1969, there were casinos in Tripoli and Benghazi aimed at foreign tourists, but with the advent of Muammar Gaddafi, all gambling establishments were closed, and participation in gambling was 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."

Possible punishments:

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 weakened.

This has led to an increase in illegal online gambling, especially among 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 analytical report, 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 gambling remains prohibited in all regions.

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 a complete crackdown on 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.

Through 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 their use for gambling purposes is officially equated with "illegal financial activities."

---

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 in 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.

---

Economic aspect

Libya has rich oil reserves, but due to political instability and sanctions, the economy is degrading.

The official authorities do not consider gambling as a source of income, and any attempts to discuss legalization are perceived as an attack on Islamic values.

However, experts note that with the future stabilization of the country and the creation of "tourist zones" on the coast, a scenario of partial legalization of gambling for foreigners is possible, 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 will remain tight, especially in religious areas.

Nevertheless, an unofficial market based on cryptocurrencies and VPNs will continue to exist on the Internet.

Legalization is possible only in the long term if Libya returns to a stable form of government and begins 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.

Libya remains one of the most closed countries in the region in matters of gambling, but even here gambling - albeit in the shadows - continues to exist.