Online gambling regulation in Lebanon

Prohibited. General gambling prohibitions in Lebanese Penal Code interpreted as banning advertising and operation of non‑licensed gambling; detailed article references not confirmed.

Promotion of unlicensed gambling conflicts with the Penal Code’s general ban on unauthorised gambling and the exclusive state licences; specific ad-article not clearly identified.

No standalone gambling authority; Ministry of Finance oversees Casino du Liban/BetArabia and lottery concessions, with police handling enforcement

Lebanese Penal Code general gambling prohibitions; specific casino concession by Decree 6919/1995; ancillary finance/lottery regulations.

Online casino: Monopoly. Online sports betting: Monopoly.

There is no public register of licensed operators. No public online register of all licensed operators; state monopoly status is communicated via official brand sites and Ministry of Finance announcements.

• ISP/domain blocking of offshore gambling sites
• Criminal offence for operating or accessing unlicensed gambling under Penal Code-based framework
• Police-led enforcement against illegal physical betting operations
• Administrative action by Ministry of Finance against concession breaches

• Only state-licensed brands (Casino du Liban, BetArabia, lottery PlayLebanon) may promote gambling services
• Advertising must not suggest existence of other licensed online casinos or sportsbooks
• Marketing must clearly indicate monopoly/official authorisation by Ministry of Finance or government
• Promotions cannot target minors; gambling is restricted to adults under general Penal Code principles

• 2022: Ministry of Finance grants sole online gambling and sports betting licence to BetArabia, arm of Casino du Liban
• Ongoing 2013–2026 ISP blocking campaign targeting offshore gambling sites to protect state monopoly; blocking expanded but remains inconsistent
• 2025–2026 market commentary reiterates lack of open licensing regime and continued monopoly of Casino du Liban, PlayLebanon, BetArabia online

• Precise Penal Code article numbers criminalising unlicensed gambling and online betting are not clearly identified in accessible sources
• Exact statutory provisions on advertising unlicensed gambling (article numbers, wording) are not publicly confirmed in available materials
• Whether Ministry of Finance or another body has issued detailed advertising/marketing guidelines specific to BetArabia or Casino du Liban is unclear
• Scope of criminal liability for individual bettors using offshore sites (versus operators) is inconsistently described across sources
• Whether online poker is officially prohibited versus simply unregulated/blocked.
• Whether prediction markets are treated as gambling, securities, or a separate regulated activity.
• Whether loot boxes/mystery boxes are addressed by consumer-protection or gambling rules in Lebanon.
• Whether sweepstakes/social casinos are specifically banned, tolerated, or unregulated.

1. gamblingmaps.org/map/regulations/lebanon
2. licentium.io/hub/lebanon
3. gamblingmaps.org/map/regulations/lebanon/for-operators
4. legalpilot.com/country/lebanon/
5. uaebetting.com/betting-sites-lebanon/
6. totalfootballanalysis.com/betting-sites-lebanon
7. igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-lebanon/
8. bookmakers.bet/betting-sites/lebanon/
9. riverodds.app/poker-in-lebanon/
10. sigma.world/news/lebanon-betarabia-granted-exclusive-licence-to-operate/
11. pokerlaws.org/asia/lebanon/
12. onlinebe.mywhc.ca/legal/lebanon/
13. track360.io/blog/loot-box-vs-mystery-box-gambling-regulation-map-2026
14. packdrawreferral.com/packdraw-legal/

Researched 2026-09-21 from public sources and summarised by the Brandfense team. Not legal advice — confirm with the regulator or your counsel before acting.