How to drive iGaming traffic to Egypt?
For tourists, Egypt is all about the sea, pyramids, and camel safaris. But for affiliates, it’s a potential goldmine. Since the beginning of the year, our media buyers at 888STARZ Partners have noticed a high volume of leads coming from this GEO and decided to take a closer look at the market. It turns out that despite religious restrictions, betting and gambling in Egypt are legal. At the same time, Egypt is still classified as Tier 3 — meaning traffic is cheap and competition is low. So how do you run ads to maximize profits? Let’s break it down step by step.
Key characteristics of Egypt as a GEO
Although Egypt is part of Africa, the strategy for driving traffic in this country is quite different from launching ad campaigns in Nigeria or Kenya. The advertising approach here is quite distinct, and here’s why:
- Economic development
Egypt is classified as a Tier 3 country, but by African standards, it is one of the most developed regions, ranking 3rd in Africa and 38th globally in terms of GDP. The economy is driven by oil exports, revenue from the Suez Canal, and the tourism industry.
- Language
The official language is Arabic (Egyptian and Sa’idi dialects), but due to tourism and colonial history, English is widely understood. This is an advantage for affiliate specialists, as English-language creatives can also perform well.
- Currency
Egypt’s official currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). However, due to the well-developed tourism sector, locals frequently use US dollars, euros, and other widely recognized currencies.
- Local population
Egypt has a population of 107 million, with low average income levels — around 9,325 EGP per month (it’s around $185). About 90% of the population follows Islam, which officially prohibits Gambling. However, this restriction applies only to local residents, which is why Egypt has land-based casinos (in Alexandria, Cairo, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Taba) that accept only foreign currencies like USD and EUR. Despite religious restrictions, many Egyptians still place sports bets and play online slots gaming.
- iGaming regulation
Unlike other Muslim-majority regions such as the UAE or Saudi Arabia, Egypt has virtually no regulation for gambling, so locals can freely access betting sites and online casinos. Egyptian laws are based on European models rather than Sharia law, resulting in a gray regulatory area for gambling. While authorities do not impose strict bans, they also do not provide a legal framework for operators. As a result, international bookmakers and casinos accept Egyptian players without restrictions.
Strategies for promoting online gaming and sports in Egypt GEO
As we have found out, despite religion and Tier 3 status, Egypt is a fairly developed country with relatively lenient gambling regulations. In addition to the average population, the country also has a wealthy segment with above-average incomes, as well as a massive influx of tourists from Tier 1 and Tier 2 countries.
Given these factors, you shouldn’t use typical ad campaign strategies designed for poorer African nations. Instead, a hybrid approach, combining elements of European strategies with Tier 3 targeting, works best. Also it’s better to avoid overly flashy or aggressive creatives. At the same time, If the goal is maximum reach, it’s important to focus on quick and easy earnings, as a significant portion of the population still lives on a low income.
Another reason Egypt is a promising GEO for iGaming is the country’s passion for sports. Egyptians are avid sports fans, especially when it comes to football, basketball, squash, handball, and tennis. Unlike other Muslim countries, sports betting in Egypt is not only popular but also supported at the government level.
Casinos, however, face more restrictions due to Islamic traditions. But as with any country, there are still plenty of gambling enthusiasts. Many Egyptians play on international platforms without issue, bypassing any restrictions.
Egypt also has a state-sponsored alternative to gambling — the national lottery. However, winnings are subject to heavy taxation, and while all Egyptian citizens can participate, winners must pay a significant share of their prize money to the government. This creates an opportunity for marketers: instead of promoting casino slots, you can frame your offer as an alternative lottery with minimal withdrawal fees.
If you’re struggling to develop a promotion strategy for online betting in Egypt, you don’t have to waste time researching case studies or experimenting with traffic sources. Just reach out to your personal manager at 888STARZ Partners — they’ll provide you with tested ad approaches and traffic strategies, not just for Egypt, but for 100+ other countries as well.
Best traffic sources in Egypt
Egyptians actively use all major social media networks and platforms, such as Google, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Youtube and Twitter. Let’s consider a few of the most popular traffic sources in Egypt and the best strategies for running iGaming campaigns on each.
Google dominates Egypt’s search engine market, with 97.7% of the population using its services, including Google Maps and Google Play. This makes it an ideal traffic source for broad-reaching campaigns that can target nearly the entire population.
Source: Similarweb
However, due to platform restrictions, for promoting iGaming offers, you will need to use cloaking and anti-detect browsers. While cost-per-click (CPC) in Tier 1 countries like the U.S. or Europe can reach up to $0.65, in Egypt, it’s as low as $0.06, making it a highly cost-effective channel.
YouTube
In Egypt, YouTube has an audience reaching 44.7 million people, making this platform one of the most popular websites and the leading video hosting service in the country. For webmasters it provides an ideal channel for driving traffic and conversions. By leveraging product reviews, tutorials, and influencer collaborations, affiliates can effectively engage viewers and promote gambling offers to a highly receptive audience.
For promoting iGaming offers in Egypt via YouTube, pre-roll ads or short mid-video inserts should be used, preferably with humorous content and win demonstrations. However, it’s crucial to avoid overly flashy or aggressive promos, as YouTube’s moderation can remove ads or even ban accounts.
Facebook is Egypt’s leading social network, with approximately 56.4 million active users. To attract targeted users, it’s important to properly set up targeting for audiences under 30 years old who are interested in iGaming topics.
Source: Statista
It is also advisable to target users residing in cities such as Alexandria, Cairo, Sharm-el-Sheikh, and Tab, as these areas have the highest concentration of Egyptians interested in this niche. Since Facebook has strict advertising policies, using moderation bypass tools is a must.
How to make creatives for Egypt?
Making creatives for the Egyptian market requires a special approach from affiliates. Here are key strategies to maximize engagement and conversions:
1. Use the local language.
First of all, it’s important to use the local language. As mentioned earlier, many Egyptians understand English well, but to increase loyalty, it’s best to create content in Arabic with slang words. This will help you gain more trust from locals and attract more attention to your ads, increasing clickability.
If you’re promoting through 888STARZ Partners, you don’t need to worry about translations — your personal manager will provide localized creatives adapted specifically for the Egyptian market. These materials take into account slang, cultural specifics, and religious nuances, significantly improving conversion rates and maximizing your profit.
2. Highlight numbers & data.
Another useful approach that should be incorporated into your creatives is the use of numbers. Egyptians respond better to ads featuring precise data about winnings, deposit bonuses, win percentages, and other information presented with numbers. You can also include local celebrities or photos of local residents in your advertising, thereby increasing population loyalty.
3. Incorporate local icons & themes.
Considering the vibrant national character of Egypt, it would be a missed opportunity not to incorporate it into your creatives. Moreover, Egyptian motifs are widely used even outside this GEO in online casino advertising campaigns. Integrate images of pyramids, palms, deserts, sphinxes, pharaohs, Cleopatra, and other symbols of this country with a rich history into your creatives.
4. Leverage seasonal trends.
Seasonal events and resort seasons are also an essential part of creating creatives for Egypt. Conversion rates may drop significantly during Muslim holidays (especially Ramadan), while clicks on your creatives will increase considerably during the resort season. Check the calendar before launching your campaign in Egypt to reduce costs or boost profits.
Conclusion
Egypt is an intriguing region for affiliate marketing, considered one of the most promising on the African continent. Low competition and affordable campaign launch costs, combined with a favorable legal environment, make this country one of the most profitable GEOs for promoting gambling and betting offers. However, don’t forget to follow the recommendations we shared in this article. While Egypt is still not saturated and the market hasn’t been overrun by webmasters, you currently have a great opportunity to secure advantageous positions.
If you’re planning or have already started driving traffic to Egypt, we have plenty of ready-made solutions for you. For example, 888STARZ Partners offers all its affiliates free geo-targeted creatives. Need banners, newsletters, or PWA apps? Simply contact your personal manager, and get the best promotional materials for Egypt! We also regularly update our list of offers and GEOs, adding fresh, unsaturated opportunities so you can be among the first to secure profitable leads. Reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to help!
