Morocco has ordered its leading internet service providers to block access to offshore gambling platforms operating without authorization. The directive was issued by the Casablanca Commercial Court following a case brought by Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports (MDJS), the state-owned operator of legal sports betting and lotteries.
The ruling instructs Maroc Telecom, Orange Maroc, and inwi to prevent users in Morocco from accessing unlicensed betting sites. The court emphasized that internet providers act as gatekeepers to online access and are therefore best positioned to curb illegal gambling activity.
To comply, operators have been directed to implement basic technical measures, including DNS and IP blocking, to stop users from reaching these platforms.
The decision forms part of a broader crackdown launched by MDJS in late 2025. Alongside site blocking, authorities are targeting unauthorized payment channels used to fund betting accounts and social media pages that promote unlicensed operators.
Internet providers that fail to enforce the order face fines of 10,000 Moroccan dirhams for every day of non-compliance.
Officials argue that unlicensed platforms expose users to significant risk. Many lack age verification, fair-play controls, and responsible gambling mechanisms, leaving players without legal protection. By forcing gambling activity into regulated channels, authorities aim to improve player safety and ensure that betting revenue remains within Morocco to support public initiatives.
Critics caution that some users may attempt to bypass restrictions using VPNs or mirror sites, allowing illegal play to persist. Even so, the ruling sends a clear signal: gambling operations in Morocco must be licensed or face systematic exclusion from the national internet ecosystem.
