While some betting markets are well-established and have plenty of attention in their direction, there are still some hidden gems that could have a big future. Perhaps the best example of this is the continent of Africa, which has evolved dramatically over the past few decades.

There are many factors that point toward a bright future for Africa in the world of betting and gambling. Markets are becoming more advanced over time, and the infrastructure to achieve big things is slowly coming together as well. On top of that, there are several cultural factors that could help – such as a big love for sports.

Are you curious about the potential future betting opportunities in Africa? Would you like to know the current state of play on the continent? If you answered yes to either or both of those questions, you’re in the right place. We’ll provide a complete overview of betting in gambling in African countries today.

Is Betting Legal in Africa?

Africa is a huge continent, and attitudes toward gambling – both culturally and legislatively – differ significantly depending on where you go.

Nonetheless, gambling is legal in a large number of African countries. Nigeria and Kenya are two of the most famous examples, while gambling is also allowed in South Africa in some circumstances. Ghana and Botswana are two other countries where gambling is permitted.

One thing worth noting is that laws can differ significantly between online gambling and offline wagering throughout Africa. Generally speaking, the land-based gambling space is more developed at the time of writing. However, that’s likely to change over time – and we’ll discuss some of the reasons why later in this guide.

Other countries in Africa where gambling is legal include Morocco and Tanzania.

Why Is Sports Gambling Good for the Economy in Africa?

Like many other countries, the sports betting sector can have many benefits for Africa in the long term. Below, we’ll identify some of the top ways that sports wagering can help local economies in countries throughout the continent.

Job Creation

By far the biggest advantage of sports gambling in Africa is the potential job creation it can help with. Many parts of the continent are still developing, and it’s essential that the local population gains solid employment with good working conditions.

The sports betting sector can help create new jobs in multiple ways, including:

• App development

• Technical support

• Content creators

Sports betting in Africa can also help with job creation in the land-based sector. For example, sportsbooks can hire people to handle bets and pay out winnings. On top of that, the sector also has the possibility to create new jobs within regulators, revenue services, and more. For this reason, it has a great broader impact for society.

Tax Revenue

When done correctly, sports betting can provide an excellent revenue stream for countries. Many sportsbooks need to comply with local corporate tax rates, which of course vary depending on where you are. But on top of that, it’s also common for taxes on gambling winnings to be levied in many parts of the world.

With the right revenue collection infrastructures, sports wagering has the possibility to provide more money for essential development programs. For example, the money can go towards building new roads, building projects, and other essential adjustments that can improve citizens’ quality of life.

Internet Development

Internet penetration in Africa has grown significantly in recent years, but it’s still not at the same level as many other countries. Speeds are sometimes quite slow, which can result in annoyance at best.

One benefit of online sports betting could be that it promotes further enhancing the internet infrastructure in many African countries. Of course, this would naturally lead to an improved sports wagering experience – which is one huge advantage. But beyond that, it could also help others enjoy a better internet usage experience.

Innovation

One thing worth keeping in mind about online gambling companies is that they often nowadays operate as tech businesses as well. For that reason, they can be key innovators that inspire other industries to grow. This is especially important in economies that are still on their way up, as new ideas are necessary for moving forward.

Through innovating with new ideas, other companies in the tech space within these nations can adopt what might work for their businesses as well. Overall, this leads to a more positive environment where more people are excelling.

Which Country Gambles the Most in Africa?

The largest countries in Africa when it comes to gambling are Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria.

According to statistics from GeoPoll and cited in Business Insider Africa, almost 84% of adults in Kenya said that they had gambled in the past. Nigeria was second (78.31%) on the list, while South Africa (74.03%) stood in third place. Ghana (70.68%) was fourth.

In each of the top countries with high gambling participation in Africa, football (soccer) was the most popular sport to bet on. This is not surprising at all; the Premier League has huge support throughout the continent, with millions of people tuning in to watch the big games each weekend.

The Champions League also has a huge degree of popularity. Part of this is because people love the sport, while many African countries also adore their sports stars – and several high-profile Africans have made their mark on the Premier League and other major European leagues.

Sports betting revenue in African countries is also quite high. In Kenya, for example, online gambling in sports betting, casino, and lottery generated almost €70 billion in revenue during 2022. By 2028, the market is expected to grow to €115.8 million. Meanwhile, online sports wagering in Nigeria is expected to surpass €350 billion by 2028.

South Africa is also a key market and an interesting example, as per 2024 the online gambling sector is expected to reach a revenue of ZAR US$828.50m and the online sports betting market a revenue of ZAR US$394.80m.

In 2012, the South African government prohibited the offering of online casino games to its citizens. Despite this, some online casinos continued to allow players to bet in South African Rands.

The reason is that the country has many online players, and the law only targets casinos, not the players. Recently, the government announced plans to issue ten licenses to online casino websites, but these licenses have yet to be implemented.

Why Is Betting and Gambling Becoming More Popular in Africa?

Legal Matters

Gambling legislation in Africa is complex, but things have changed significantly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. For example, Kenya initially legalized gambling in the 1960s since then, it has become a huge industry. And despite tax reforms in 2022, players are still very much interested in wagering.

In South Africa, gambling is a newer phenomenon. The 2004 National Gambling Act made it clearer what was and wasn’t allowed in the country, and both sports wagering and casino games are now widely enjoyed.

Over the coming years, it’s likely that other countries in Africa will revisit their gambling legislation. And when that happens, more players will likely want to access the services available to them. More specifically, we’re hopeful that many countries will allow for better online betting opportunities.

Economic Development of the African Continent

Africa has long been considered one of the world’s areas with huge potential. Many countries have significantly developed their economies over the past 20-30 years, and there are plenty of success stories that we can see. Innovative businesspeople have put their intriguing ideas out there and helped create local jobs, plus much more.

Over the coming years, it’s likely that many countries in Africa will continue to grow economically. One advantage for betting is that people naturally should then have higher disposable incomes, meaning they can afford to bet and whatnot.

Technological Advancements

Besides internet penetration increasing throughout Africa, other technological advancements are making it easier for players to wager. Mobile penetration is growing in many countries, for example.

Alongside that, payment methods still have huge room for growth – and they’re already on the up. If we look at Nigeria, for example, PPRO reports that 37% of payments are made by card, and 10% come from eWallet solutions.

As infrastructures improve over the coming years, digital payments will likely become even more popular throughout Africa. For that reason, it’ll become much easier to bet on sports and play casino games.

Africans’ Love for Gambling Activities

Africans’ love for gambling activities often goes hand-in-hand with their passion for sport in particular. As we saw earlier, a large percentage of adults in many countries that allow gambling said that they’ve done it before. But besides enjoying sports and the like, many people in Africa also gamble as a potential attempt to earn income.

Besides that, however, gambling can also be part of social occasions. For example, players might choose to bet on the big football match before going to watch a game with their friends and family.

The Future of Online Gambling in Africa

Online gambling in Africa is poised to grow significantly. As we saw earlier, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa have huge room for growth in their sports betting revenue possibilities. But beyond that, legislative changes will likely also change the landscape.

It’s very much possible that other nations will begin to permit online betting, which will allow more players to participate.

Technological advancements will also positively impact online gambling in Africa, as will growing economies. While people might not gamble as a way to make money, having more disposable income could help them to wager for fun.

It’s likely that more governments will consider the potential to legalize online casino and sports betting when considering numerous factors, such as the potential tax benefits. And even if those result in lower profit margins for players, the interest will likely still be there.

FAQ

Which country gambles the most in Africa?

Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria are the largest African countries for gambling, with high participation rates, especially in sports betting on football.

Is betting legal in Africa?

Many African countries permit gambling. Notable examples include Nigeria and Kenya, while South Africa allows gambling under certain conditions. Ghana, Botswana, Marocco and Tanzania also have legal gambling. It’s important to note that regulations can vary greatly between online and offline gambling across the continent. Currently, land-based gambling is more established, but this is expected to change over time.

Why sports gambling is good for the economy?

Sports betting can significantly benefit Africa by creating jobs in areas like app development and technical support, and providing employment opportunities in land-based sectors. It also generates tax revenue that can fund essential development projects and improve citizens’ quality of life. Additionally, online sports betting can drive internet infrastructure improvements and foster innovation in the tech industry, promoting broader economic growth.