Regulating and mitigating the risks of youth sports betting in Ethiopia

The rapid expansion of sports betting in Ethiopia presents a critical challenge, demanding urgent regulatory intervention to address its detrimental impact, particularly on youth. The core objective of the study was to analyse the causal relationships and mediating factors between crime rates, familial discord, and mental health issues associated with gambling activities, and to recommend the most effective means of mitigating the activity. Employing a normative legal research methodology, this article critically examined Ethiopia’s existing legal framework, including the National Lottery Administration Re-establishment Proclamation No. 535/2007 and the Sports-Betting Lottery Directive No. 172/2021. This analysis was complemented by a comprehensive literature review, comparative studies of international regulatory models (specifically the UK), and practical observations within the Ethiopian context. The findings revealed that the current regulatory focus on revenue generation inadequately addresses the profound social harms. Notably, the study established a clear correlation between increased betting activities and heightened crime rates, alongside significant adverse effects on family stability and mental health. The vulnerability of youth, exacerbated by pervasive advertising and online accessibility, is a central concern. Critical gaps within the existing legal framework, including unregulated advertising and weak penalties, were identified. Crucially, the current law fails to prevent money laundering by not requiring proof of the source of funds, and also fails to regulate advertisements. The practical significance of this research lies in its potential to inform immediate policy reforms. Key recommendations included stringent licensing requirements, mandatory disclosure of betting’s negative impacts, comprehensive advertising prohibitions, mandatory source-of-funds declarations from bettors, mental health screening for participants, reduced maximum payout limits, and clearly defined penalties for violations. The establishment of a dedicated gambling commission, akin to the UK model, was also proposed. This study underscored the urgent need to prioritise youth protection and social well-being over short-term economic gains