Online casino gambling in Lebanon operates in a complex legal gray area where no specific legislation explicitly prohibits internet gambling, yet the government maintains strict control over the gambling market through other mechanisms (1)(2). The country's gambling industry is dominated by a government-protected monopoly, with Casino du Liban holding exclusive rights to operate gambling activities under a license that runs until 2026. This monopoly was established through Decree 6919 in 1995, which grants the casino exclusive gambling rights while ensuring significant government revenue sharing.
Despite the absence of direct online gambling bans, the Lebanese government has implemented extensive internet service provider-level blocking of international gambling websites to protect its monopolistic interests in land-based gambling operations (1). In 2013, the Lebanese judiciary decided to block all offshore gambling websites, citing the need to comply with the 1995 law that grants Casino du Liban its gambling monopoly. The government receives substantial revenue from this arrangement, collecting 30 percent of casino revenue for the first ten years, 40 percent thereafter, and 50 percent for the final ten years of the license period.
"Curiously, no specific legislation exists that bans online gambling. In the absence of such, players might enjoy a whole range of online gambling options."
The only legal online gambling platform available to Lebanese residents is PlayLebanon, operated by La Libanaise des Jeux, the country's sole lottery operator (1)(2). While most international gambling sites are blocked at the ISP level, some players circumvent these restrictions through VPNs and alternative access methods. The government has shown interest in regulating online gambling, with some reports suggesting informal tax arrangements with certain foreign operators, though no standardized licensing process exists. Individual players are generally not prosecuted for accessing offshore gambling sites, creating a de facto tolerance for online gambling despite the technical restrictions in place.
Source:
https://www.igamingtoday.com/gambling-regulation-in-lebanon/
https://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/lebanon
Last updated: 20-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
