Libya’s igaming market surges despite longstanding gambling ban
Regardless of gambling restrictions, Libya’s igaming market continues to grow, driven by mobile gaming, e-sports and offshore platforms.
Libya.- Libya’s longstanding gambling laws have inadvertently sparked a booming underground online betting scene. Industry estimates reveal that more than 1.25 million online players engage with igaming platforms despite restrictive regulations.
Gambling has been banned in Libya since 1953 under Articles 492-495 of the Penal Code, criminalising land-based and online betting. The 2022 Cybercrime Law strengthened these restrictions, allowing authorities to block sites and impose fines or prison sentences.
Yet, a report from 6Wresearch indicates that Libya’s igaming market, with over 1.25 million active online players, continues to grow, driven by “mobile-first gaming, increasing internet access and a digitally savvy youth”.
Nearly 60 percent of Libya’s 6.8 million residents are under 30, a demographic that makes mobile gaming, online betting and emerging e-sports especially popular.
Sports betting dominates, particularly around international football and regional sports. Online casino games, including slots, roulette and blackjack, are accessed primarily through offshore operators such as Megapari, Rabona and Betwinner. Poker and cloud-based competitive games like PUBG Mobile and Valorant are also gaining traction among tech-savvy youth.
Underground betting booms
The report states that the illegal market also includes small, unauthorised betting shops in the cities of Tripoli, Benghazi and Misratah. These underground operations exist despite strict laws and remain fragmented compared to international offshore platforms. Cloud gaming and e-sports are diversifying the market, and the combination of technology, youth and curiosity suggests the underground scene will continue to expand.
Mobile devices dominate gaming, supported by rising smartphone adoption and approximately 62 per cent 4G coverage. PCs are less common, mainly used in gaming cafés or for competitive e-sports.
According to the report, players often rely on Virtual Private Networks (VPN), cryptocurrency and virtual cards to bypass banking restrictions and access offshore platforms. VPNs create encrypted connections that hide users’ locations, allowing access to sites that would otherwise be blocked.
For regulators, operators and investors, Libya presents a paradox: a population eager for gaming but constrained by strict laws and limited infrastructure. The market remains underground, evolving quietly behind firewalls and VPNs. Yet youth, technology and cultural curiosity indicate Libya’s igaming scene will continue to expand.
