Lebanon: BetArabia holds exclusive licence to operate
BetArabia, owned by Casino Du Liban, is the only one officially authorised by the Lebanese Ministry of Finance to offer online sports betting and casino games. According to Yggdrasil, a provider that has just partnered with the platform, this license consolidates BetArabia as the only legally licensed operator in the Lebanese market. This measure, unprecedented in the MENA region, redefines the regulatory boundaries of online gaming and positions the country as a regional pioneer. The Lebanese market welcomes foreign material in a strictly controlled setting, thanks to this partnership.
Gambling in Lebanon: between restrictions and monopolies
The Lebanese regulatory framework maintains a conservative stance on gambling. In principle, the law prohibits any form of online or physical gambling, with a few official exceptions. Casino Du Liban, an institution established in 1959 and located in Maameltein, has maintained an exclusive monopoly since its inception, encompassing both physical and online operations.
The only legal way to operate a betting or gaming business is under a state licence. In practice, the state grants licences mainly to local institutions with a long history. BetArabia thus emerges as the online arm of Casino Du Liban, operating under an exclusivity model that excludes foreign companies from the national market. In addition, the Lebanese state applies technological blocks to unauthorised platforms, reinforcing this dominant position. This approach, although restrictive, aims to ensure a safe and controlled experience for users.
BetArabia licence: a unique model in the region
In November 2022, the Lebanese Ministry of Finance granted BetArabia the first and only licence to operate online gambling and sports betting. This authorisation gave formal and legal status to the platform, which operates under the structure and direct supervision of Casino Du Liban. According to Yggdrasil, this move completely defines the country’s online regulation model.
The current legal framework does not provide for the issuance of multiple licences. Therefore, BetArabia exercises a regulated monopoly with national reach. The day-to-day management of operations has been delegated through a public process (RFP #01722019-ICDL) to Onlive Support Services, a firm with experience in regulated international markets. This combination of institutional control and professional management has enabled the platform to position itself as the new operating standard in the Arab world.
Regional impact and international positioning
With the entry of Yggdrasil as a strategic provider, BetArabia incorporates a diversified range of titles. The agreement also provides access to developers associated with the YGG Masters programme, which brings together more than 13 world-renowned independent studios. According to Yggdrasil, this alliance represents its first foray into Lebanese territory and marks a significant expansion into regulated markets in the MENA region.
Statements by Yggdrasil’s commercial director, Jose Kadala, underscore the growing interest in the Lebanese market on the part of international providers. In turn, Olga Degtiareva, the provider’s account manager, confirmed that the innovation and depth of the portfolio will raise the quality of service provided locally. For BetArabia COO Tigran Geghamyan, this integration represents a total transformation of the online experience in the Middle East.
Comparison and pending regulatory challenges
Lebanon has a relatively open paradigm in contrast to other Arab nations, where gambling is either completely or severely outlawed. The current plan, however, restricts the admission of rivals by concentrating on a single operator with an exclusive licence. The international reaction has been favourable despite this. Providers such as Yggdrasil interpret the current framework as a gateway to one of the most institutionally stable markets in the Arab world.
In the future, the challenge will be to extend the regulatory frameworks. Issues such as government protection for players, cultural integration and partial market opening are still generating debate. In addition, the parent licence for Casino Du Liban is only valid temporarily and is set to expire in 2026. The experience acquired thus far may lead to a regulatory review intended to ensure transparency and dynamism, even though numerous licenses are not expected.
This carefully planned partial opening becomes a case study with regional and global significance in an environment where the majority of Arab nations are still restrictive. While the way to more extensive regulation is still unclear, other nations may find inspiration in this hybrid approach of corporate management and governmental monopoly.
This article was first published in Spanish on 21 July 2025.
