Bingo is one of the most popular games in Ethiopian cities. It is played in halls, on mobile phones and inside Telegram, and many investors now ask the same question: what do I need to start a bingo business in Ethiopia?
This guide explains the rules, compares the business models, shows what to budget and helps you decide what to build. It is written from DreamTech's own delivery experience.
DreamTech is currently delivering multiple bingo and betting websites and platforms, and Ethiopian lottery projects are in progress. Some of these platforms are already live, including Fun Bingo, a Telegram Mini App bingo game that DreamTech delivered in 2 weeks, including testing.
This guide is based on public sources available up to 31 October 2026. It is not legal advice. Confirm every requirement with the Ethiopian Lottery Service and a licensed Ethiopian lawyer before you invest.
The Short Answer
| Question | Answer today |
|---|---|
| Is bingo legal in Ethiopia? | Bingo is a game of chance supervised by the Ethiopian Lottery Service. Conventional bingo has its own licensing directive. |
| Who issues the licence? | The Ethiopian Lottery Service, formerly the National Lottery Administration. |
| Is there a licence for online or Telegram bingo? | No published rules cover it. Get written approval before taking real money. |
| Who can hold a bingo licence? | Clubs, charities and associations that use net income for social purposes, or a person who commits 51% of net income to a social cause. |
| Minimum player age | 18 years. |
| Tax on winnings | 20%, withheld from the prize by the operator. |
| Penalty for operating without a licence | A fine of ETB 50,000 to 100,000, or heavier penalties under criminal law. |
| How fast can the software be ready? | DreamTech delivered Fun Bingo in 2 weeks, including testing. |
Who Regulates Bingo in Ethiopia
Bingo, lotteries and other games of chance are supervised by the Ethiopian Lottery Service. Older documents call it the National Lottery Administration.
The legal framework has three layers:
- Proclamation No. 535/2007 re-established the lottery administration and gave it power to run lotteries, issue licences and supervise private lottery activity.
- Council of Ministers Regulation No. 160/2009 says no person may carry out lottery activity without a licence from the regulator, and sets the fines for doing so.
- The conventional bingo directive sets the specific rules for bingo halls. Its full name is the Conventional Bingo Game Licensing and Control Directive No. 126/2013. It was signed in 2010 (2002 in the Ethiopian calendar) by the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority, which oversaw the lottery administration at the time. The Ethiopian Lottery Service still lists a conventional bingo directive on its website.
Two recent statements matter for anyone planning a bingo business:
- In a July 2024 interview, the regulator's director said, "We only issue licenses for sports betting and lottery games." He also said gaming licences are restricted to Ethiopians, and that foreign companies can take part only as technology, game or service providers.
- In December 2025, the regulator revoked every sports betting licence and banks and payment providers were told to block betting transactions. In September 2026, it said it is preparing to relaunch sports betting and digital lottery services under a tighter digital monitoring system. Our betting business guide explains that shutdown in detail.
The takeaway: bingo sits inside a regulated lottery system that is becoming stricter about money and data. Plan for close scrutiny from day one.
What the Bingo Directive Requires
The directive defines conventional bingo as a game where players come to a bingo venue, buy cards in advance and check the numbers called by a drawing machine against their cards. Winners are paid in cash.
Who can apply
This is the most important rule for investors. Under the directive, a licence is given to:
- a sports club, charity or association that uses all of the net income for a shared social purpose, or
- any person who agrees to give 51% of net income to a shared social purpose or charitable work, and can provide proof.
In other words, a model where the owner keeps all of the profit does not fit the directive as written. Build the social-purpose share into your plan before you calculate returns.
What the application must include
Applications are made in writing to the regulator. The directive asks for:
- the applicant's name and full address,
- where and when the games will be held,
- proof of ownership or lease of the venue and the game equipment,
- confirmation that the venue is clean, holds at least 100 people and has adequate toilets,
- suitable recreation facilities and adequate security at the venue,
- the type of drawing machine and bingo cards, and where they come from,
- the number and structure of staff,
- the names and addresses of independent callers who will run the games,
- how the net income will be used,
- and the rules of the game.
How games must be run
Once licensed, the operator must:
- use new cards for every game and never reuse a card from an earlier round,
- use a drawing machine that meets the standard and is visible to every player,
- never tamper with the balls or the drawing cycle,
- prevent crime and other gambling at the venue,
- keep complete income and expense records and show them to inspectors on request,
- make sure the sound system is clear,
- and pay winners immediately, after deducting tax.
The directive also sets the rules for players and opening hours:
- Players must be 18 or older, and anyone younger may not enter the venue.
- Staff at the venue may not play.
- Games run from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm on weekdays, and from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm on weekends and public holidays. The directive writes these in Ethiopian time, as 10:00 to 2:30 and 4:00 to 2:30.
Fees, commission and penalties
| Item | What the directive says |
|---|---|
| New licence fee | ETB 400 |
| Yearly renewal | ETB 200, paid between Hamle 1 and Nehase 30 (early July to early September) |
| Late renewal | ETB 500 penalty |
| Commission to the regulator | 15% of gross income after prizes are paid, due monthly by the 15th of the following month |
| Late commission | 20% penalty, rising to 50% after two months and 100% plus licence revocation after that |
| Tax on winnings | Withheld from each prize and paid to the tax office every month |
| Lottery activity without a licence | A fine of ETB 50,000 to 100,000, unless criminal law sets a heavier penalty |
| Obstructing an inspection | A fine of ETB 10,000 to 20,000 |
The fee amounts date from 2010, so ask the regulator for its current fee schedule. The tax rate written in the directive was 15%. Ethiopia's 2025 income tax amendment raised the tax on winnings from games of chance to 20%.
The regulator can suspend a licence until a breach is fixed. It can revoke a licence for false information, transferring the licence without approval, activity that harms public peace or national security, failing to renew, or failing to pay the monthly commission.
Online and Telegram Bingo: The Gap
The directive was written for halls. It describes players who come to a venue and a drawing machine that calls the numbers. It does not mention websites, mobile apps or Telegram Mini Apps.
That leaves a gap for anyone planning digital bingo:
- There are no published licensing rules for private online bingo. The regulator's most recent public statement on licensing covered only sports betting and lottery games.
- The state already offers digital bingo. In April 2025, the Ethiopian Lottery Service launched a digital lottery with Ethiopian Investment Holdings and Tamcon Software Solutions, including bingo lottery games.
- Payment providers are cautious. After the betting shutdown, banks and payment providers were told to block betting transactions. Expect Telebirr, CBE and gateway providers to ask for your licence before they enable collections for a game of chance.
None of this means digital bingo is impossible. It means real-money online bingo needs a clear written answer from the regulator first. While you wait for that answer, you can still:
- build and test your platform with test money,
- run free-to-play bingo with no stake, and confirm whether prize giveaways need a promotional lottery permit,
- partner with a licensed operator that already holds the right approval,
- or launch first in another licensed market and bring the platform to Ethiopia later.
Choose Your Bingo Business Model
Your model decides your licence path, your costs and how fast you can launch. Compare them before you spend money.
| Model | How players join | Licence position today | Main costs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bingo hall | Visit a venue and buy paper cards | The conventional bingo directive applies | Venue, drawing machine, cards, sound, staff and prize cash | Clubs, associations and charities with a venue |
| Hall with a digital system | Venue with digital cards, screens and a cashier system | The directive applies to the venue. Confirm digital cards with the regulator. | Venue plus software | Hall operators who want accurate records and faster games |
| Website or mobile app | Play in a browser or app | No published online rules. Written approval needed. | Platform, payments, support and marketing | Operators with regulatory clarity or another licensed market |
| Telegram Mini App | Play inside a Telegram bot | Same as website or app | Platform, bot, payments and support | Fast reach on low-cost phones once approved |
| Free-to-play or promotional | No stake. Prizes come from a sponsor. | Confirm whether a promotional permit is needed | Platform and prizes | Brands, communities and testing demand |
If you already run a hall, a digital system is usually the lowest-risk upgrade. It keeps you inside the directive while giving you clean records for the monthly commission. If you want to start online, your first milestone is the regulator's written answer, not the launch date.
What It Costs to Start
Budget for much more than the licence fee. A realistic plan includes:
| Cost item | What to plan for |
|---|---|
| Company setup | Business registration, trade licence and tax identification number (TIN) |
| Regulator payments | Licence and renewal fees, plus 15% commission on gross income after prizes |
| Social-purpose share | 51% of net income if you apply as a private operator under the directive |
| Software | DreamTech's indicative range for a scoped Bingo platform is ETB 260,000–600,000 |
| Hosting and support | Servers, monitoring, backups, updates and support after launch |
| Payments | Merchant fees for Telebirr, CBE or a gateway, after approval |
| Venue (hall models) | Rent, drawing machine, cards, screens, sound system and security |
| Prize reserve | Cash to pay every winner immediately, as the directive requires |
| Staff | Callers, cashiers, finance, customer support and compliance |
Here is a simple, illustrative example of how the money flows in one game:
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Card sales (gross income) | ETB 10,000 |
| Prizes paid to winners | ETB 8,000 |
| Remainder after prizes | ETB 2,000 |
| 15% commission to the regulator | ETB 300 |
| Left to cover costs | ETB 1,700 |
The 20% tax on winnings is deducted from the winner's prize, not from your income, but you must calculate it, withhold it and pay it every month. After your costs, the directive's social-purpose share applies to what is left. Run these numbers for your own prize rules before you invest.
How to Start a Bingo Business in Ethiopia, Step by Step
Step 1: Choose your model
Decide between a hall, a hall with a digital system, an online or Telegram product, or a free-to-play game. Use the comparison table above. Your model shapes every later step.
Step 2: Get legal advice and a written answer from the regulator
Work with a licensed Ethiopian lawyer, then ask the Ethiopian Lottery Service in writing:
- Can my exact model be licensed, and under which directive?
- What are the current fees, commission and guarantees?
- Can I use digital cards or electronic drawing in a licensed hall?
- Is there any route for online or Telegram bingo?
- What reports will you expect from me each month?
The regulator's head office is on Dej. Jote Street in Addis Ababa, and its published phone number is 0111550144. Keep every answer in writing.
Step 3: Set up your company
Register your business, get your trade licence and TIN, and confirm ownership rules. The regulator has said gaming licences are restricted to Ethiopians.
Step 4: Plan the social-purpose share
Decide which club, charity or social cause will receive the required share of net income. Prepare the agreement and the proof the regulator will ask for.
Step 5: Prepare the venue or digital operation
For a hall, meet the venue rules: at least 100 people, clean facilities, security and a visible drawing machine. For a digital product, prepare your game rules, payment flow, age checks and reporting.
Step 6: Choose your technology
Pick a platform that enforces the rules for you. The checklist in the next section shows what to look for.
Step 7: Line up payments, but switch them on only after approval
Prepare your Telebirr, CBE or gateway integration and documents. Enable real-money collections only after your licence or written approval is in place.
Step 8: Launch, report and renew
Train your callers, cashiers and support staff. Pay winners immediately, file the monthly commission and winnings tax on time, and renew your licence every year between Hamle 1 and Nehase 30.
Choosing Bingo Software: What to Check
Most of the directive's rules can be enforced by good software. Before you choose a platform, check that it offers:
- Fair, automatic draws with the drawing logic on the server, not on the player's phone.
- Card control that issues new cards for every game and blocks reused cards.
- Winner verification that checks every Bingo claim automatically before a prize is paid.
- A wallet with a full ledger that records every deposit, card purchase, prize and withdrawal.
- Payment confirmation that credits Telebirr, CBE or gateway deposits only after the provider confirms them.
- Age checks that keep players under 18 out.
- Monthly reports showing gross income, prizes paid, the 15% commission and winnings tax withheld.
- Role-based admin access for callers, cashiers, finance staff and owners.
- Amharic and English for players and staff.
- Light, fast screens that work on low-cost Android phones and slow networks.
DreamTech's Bingo Experience
DreamTech builds bingo and gaming software for Ethiopian operators. Here is the work you can review before you decide.
Fun Bingo: a Telegram Mini App delivered in 2 weeks
Fun Bingo is a multiplayer bingo game that runs inside Telegram. Players choose a stake, pick a cartela, follow automated number calls, claim Bingo and manage their wallet, all in Amharic or English.
DreamTech delivered Fun Bingo in 2 weeks, including testing. The project includes:
- stake selection and live multiplayer rooms,
- automated number drawing with a full 75-number board,
- cartela selection and automatic winner checks,
- a wallet with deposits, cashouts and payment history,
- game history and player profiles,
- and a full Amharic and English interface.
Fun Bingo shows what a focused bingo product can look like when the scope is clear and the team has built the core game before.
Bingo platform development
The Bingo Platform Development product page explains how DreamTech builds branded bingo platforms. You can choose a website, a mobile app, a Telegram Mini App or a combination, all running on one game engine and one admin dashboard. It covers player wallets, Telebirr integration for approved merchants, winner verification and reports. The indicative development range is ETB 260,000–600,000, and an agreed starter product can be delivered in 15 days.
Sports betting software
Some operators plan to offer bingo alongside sports betting once licensing allows it. The Sports Betting Software Development page explains how DreamTech builds sportsbooks with live odds, mobile-money wallets, risk controls and responsible-play tools. Both products can share one wallet ledger and reporting system.
What DreamTech does, and what it does not do
DreamTech builds the software, integrates payments for approved merchants and helps you document game rules, controls and reports for your licence application. DreamTech does not apply for or hold gaming licences. The operator is responsible for licences, tax registration and payment approvals.
What Not to Do
- Do not take real money before you have a licence or written approval. Lottery activity without a licence carries fines of ETB 50,000 to 100,000, or heavier criminal penalties.
- Do not move player money through informal channels. The betting investigations focused on how money moved, and payment providers are watching closely.
- Do not ignore the social-purpose rule. Build the 51% share into your business plan from the start.
- Do not let players under 18 play. Build age checks into registration and train venue staff.
- Do not reuse cards or run the draw on the player's device. Both break the directive and destroy player trust.
- Do not pay anyone who promises a guaranteed licence. Only the Ethiopian Lottery Service can grant one.
A Simple Readiness Checklist
| Area | You are ready when you can say... |
|---|---|
| Model | I have chosen hall, hall with digital system, online, Telegram or free-to-play. |
| Regulator | I have a written answer from the Ethiopian Lottery Service on my model. |
| Legal | A licensed Ethiopian lawyer has reviewed my plan. |
| Company | My registration, trade licence and TIN are in order. |
| Social purpose | I know who receives the required share of net income, and I have the agreement. |
| Venue or platform | My venue meets the rules, or my platform enforces them. |
| Money | I have budgeted fees, commission, staff, software and a prize reserve. |
| Payments | My payment partners are ready and waiting for my approval. |
| Reporting | I can produce gross income, prizes, commission and winnings tax every month. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bingo legal in Ethiopia?
Bingo is a game of chance supervised by the Ethiopian Lottery Service. A licensing directive exists for conventional bingo played in a venue, and running any lottery activity without a licence is an offence.
Who issues a bingo licence in Ethiopia?
The Ethiopian Lottery Service, formerly the National Lottery Administration. It issues, supervises, suspends and revokes lottery licences.
Can I run online or Telegram bingo in Ethiopia?
No published rules cover online or Telegram bingo for private operators. Get a written answer from the Ethiopian Lottery Service before you take real money from players.
Who can hold a conventional bingo licence?
Clubs, charities and associations that use the net income for shared social purposes, or any person who commits 51% of net income to a social or charitable purpose and can prove it.
What is the minimum age to play bingo in Ethiopia?
The conventional bingo directive sets a minimum age of 18. Anyone younger may not enter the venue or play.
How much tax is paid on bingo winnings?
Winnings from games of chance are taxed at 20% under the 2025 income tax amendment, up from 15%. The operator withholds the tax from the prize and pays it to the tax office.
How long does it take to build a bingo platform?
DreamTech delivered the Fun Bingo Telegram Mini App in 2 weeks, including testing. An agreed starter Bingo platform can be delivered in 15 days when requirements, branding and access are ready.
Can DreamTech get a bingo licence for me?
No. The operator applies for and holds the licence. DreamTech builds the software and helps document the game rules, controls and reports a licence application may require.
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