Best Betting Sites in Lebanon

Lebanon, officially the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia neighboring Syria and Israel. Home to the famous Phoenician civilization, it has a very rich history. However, it only gained its independence from France in 1946. In 1975 the civil war began, leading to much turbulence in the country. Football, basketball and volleyball are very popular among locals, attracting thousands of fans. Gambling in Lebanon is generally illegal, apart from two main exceptions.

The Casino du Liban and the Lebanon Des Jeux lottery are both under state supervision. In the absence of a proper legal framework towards gambling lies a rather lax approach towards online betting. As a result, quite a few major international bookies accept Lebanese bettors.

Best Lebanon Betting Sites

As many international bookmakers accept local bettors; we list the ones that deliver a wide variety of betting markets, along with competitive odds on the most popular sports.

Betting in Lebanon - 5 things to know

• 1
  The legal age to enter the Casino du Liban is 21
• 2
  No international bookies are licensed in Lebanon
• 3
  The only reference to gambling is in the Lebanese Penal Code
• 4
  The state lottery and the one casino are the only legal forms of gambling
• 5
  The Casino du Liban’s monopoly supposedly ends at 2026

General info

⏩Population: 6.800.000

⏩Active players: 900.000

⏩Currency: Lebanese Pound (LBP)

⏩Regulated gambling products: Land-based casino, lotteries

⏩Designated authority: No designated gambling authority

⏩Operator types: State-run lottery and casino, unlicensed online bookies and casinos

⏩Status: Semi-regulated

Online Gambling in Lebanon: The Law Framework

The situation concerning gambling is not complex at all. There are actually only two legal ways to do so. First is the Casino du Liban, open since 1959, then closed due to the civil war in 1989 and reopened in 1996. It accepts both locals and foreigners; while paying a hefty 50% tax on revenues from slot machines to the state.

Note that it does not offer betting services; while some reports claim it has already tried to land such a deal.  Also, legal gambling was taking place aboard the Orient Queen, a cruise ship that drifted outside of Lebanon’s coastal boundaries. However, it got destroyed on August 4, 2020 in the massive explosion that shook Beirut.

Notably enough, betting sites in Lebanon were suddenly restricted by the state in 2013. Up till then, various international operators were available. The unspoken truth is that this was made to protect the casino’s gambling monopoly which stretches until 2026. State-run lottery games are also legal and available through La Libanaise Des Jeux, Play Lebanon and Lebanon Lotto.

All other forms of gambling are banned. There is no specific law on gambling (just the Penal Code) and no designated authority. The Ministry of Finance just oversees procedures along with local police. As for online betting, Lebanon obviously has no licensing process for operators.

Naturally, one may not find any locally licensed bookmakers. Still, there are very few reports of prosecuting online gamblers. The government still simply tries to restrict access to gambling sites, rather than focus its energy on prosecuting players.

Essential Information for Bettors

It’s good to know that, with no betting in Lebanon legally taking place, there is no appropriate taxation either. So, what you win at online bookies is all yours to keep. You must remember, though, that all forms of sports betting are banned.

There are no land-based betting shops either in Beirut or any other city. All sports betting is made online, with the likes of basketball Lebanon, as well as football, constantly drawing bettors’ attention.

Since the 2013 restriction on online operators, authorities have reportedly been very lax towards players. Despite that, players should use VPN software. This way, you shall be able to reach any blocked operator. Plus, your betting will be safer in the rare case the authorities ever start getting strict.

Bet Lebanon: How to Deposit at Online Bookies

Despite the generally relaxed stance from the authorities, players should always be cautious. Bank wires or credit cards are not under close monitoring; however, better Lebanon online betting options are available. Moreover, banks are reportedly not facilitating crypto transactions.

So, if you are into cryptocurrencies; use a crypto Lebanon exchange, like eToro Lebanon, along with an e-wallet to complete your transactions. Of course, you will first have to check if the bookmaker of your choice actually allows crypto betting.

Gambling Laws in Neighbouring Regions

Those intrigued by online betting should consider investigating gambling regulations in nearby countries. Despite their close proximity, neighbouring nations may have differing sets of rules governing gambling activities.

Having a grasp of these regulations can offer valuable knowledge and facilitate informed decision-making while ensuring adherence to local legal frameworks. To get more info, check one of our detailed guides underneath. 

⏩ Best Cyprus Betting Sites

⏩ Top Jordanian Betting Sites

⏩ Best Egypt Betting Sites

The Future of Gambling in Lebanon

Lebanon already has a rather lenient stance towards gambling, at least in comparison with neighboring countries. There have also been talks about implementing sports betting services in the regulated Casino du Liban, both within its premises and online. It is interesting to see what will eventually happen; if not in the next couple of years, then in 2026.

That is when its monopolistic deal with the state ends, and major changes could emerge. As we see it, there are two possibilities for online gambling in Lebanon. Either the state will expand the casino’s monopoly; or it will decide upon properly regulating the sector, both online and offline.