Morocco Eyes iGaming Dominance as Youth-Driven Digital Boom Reshapes North Africa's Gambling Landscape

Morocco is positioning itself as North Africa’s premier digital gaming hub, with the rapid rise of iGaming and e-sports signaling a major shift in the region’s entertainment and economic strategy.

Backed by a young, tech-savvy population and surging internet and smartphone usage, the country is laying an ambitious foundation to lead in digital gaming across the continent.

A staggering 66% of Morocco’s population is under the age of 35, making the youth demographic a central driver in this transformation. Recognizing the sector’s potential, the Moroccan government has declared gaming and digital entertainment a national priority.

This commitment is being reflected in a wave of strategic initiatives—from developing infrastructure like the Rabat Gaming City, to hosting gaming expos and passing new fiscal legislation.

Among the most significant policy changes is the introduction of a new 30% tax on online gambling winnings, alongside a 2% solidarity levy earmarked for funding social projects. These measures underscore the government’s intention to “regulate, tax, and benefit from the digital gaming economy.”

The financial outlook for Morocco’s gambling sector is strong. Gambling revenue—across casinos, lotteries, and sports betting—is forecast to reach USD 1.14 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 1.23 billion by 2029. Casino earnings are expected to contribute USD 700 million in 2025, while sports betting could generate USD 172 million. Notably, almost 30% of Moroccan adults participated in sports betting within the past year.

Although land-based gambling has long been regulated under laws dating back to 1966, the online gambling space remains largely unregulated. The state holds a monopoly over the lottery and sports betting sectors, but foreign operators are capitalizing on legal ambiguity.

Platforms like bet365 and PokerStars have built sizable followings in Morocco, leveraging Arabic- and French-language interfaces and flexible digital payment methods. With local laws neither licensing nor expressly banning online gambling, a fragmented and rapidly expanding digital market has emerged.

The country took its first concrete step toward regulating this space with the passage of the 2025 Finance Bill. The new law mandates that banks and payment providers deduct a 30% tax on online gambling winnings. Additionally, the 2% solidarity contribution will go toward education, rural development, and programs supporting vulnerable communities.

Demographics continue to favor long-term growth. Nearly 25% of the population plays video games, with half of all gamers between the ages of 15 and 24. Gaming on mobile devices is especially dominant, with young people spending an average of 80 minutes daily on mobile games. While male players still form the majority, participation among women—particularly in mobile and social games—is on the rise.

Football continues to be the centerpiece of sports betting in Morocco, but e-sports are catching up fast. Competitive gaming events featuring titles like Valorant, Free Fire, and EA SPORTS FC 25 are gaining traction. Backed by state support and sponsorships from telecom giants like Inwi, the local e-sports ecosystem is beginning to take shape.

On the domestic front, land-based gambling is controlled by entities such as La Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports (MDJS), which oversees lottery and sports betting operations.

Private companies also operate casinos in cities like Casablanca, Marrakech, and Agadir. Yet, it is the offshore operators that dominate the digital landscape, thanks to the absence of clear regulation around online gambling.

Although cryptocurrency remains banned in Morocco and no official licensing regime exists for online platforms, signs of regulatory movement are growing. Government-industry discussions and public forums suggest that formal licensing, regulation, and enhanced player protection are now firmly on the national agenda.

That said, Moroccan policymakers are treading carefully. The government must balance its ambition to modernize the economy and reduce youth unemployment with the cultural and religious sensitivities surrounding gambling.

For investors and international operators, Morocco’s potential is becoming increasingly attractive. The combination of a youthful, mobile-first, digitally fluent population and an administration signaling openness to reform presents a compelling opportunity. Still, uncertainty persists. Questions remain around timelines for enforcement and the exact shape of future regulation.

Industry stakeholders believe Morocco is at a pivotal moment. The new taxes are a first step toward a regulated iGaming sector. The next may be a licensing framework that brings online play into the formal economy.

If Morocco can match its policy ambitions with transparent and effective regulation, the country may soon emerge as the uncontested iGaming capital of North Africa. 

By fLEXI tEAM