Online gambling in Africa: the current situation and future perspectives

Africa has become an appealing market for investors in the iGaming industry in recent years. Starting a gambling business is cheaper in Africa compared to other jurisdictions around the world. The continent's sustained economic growth, the rapid spread of affordable mobile broadband and the willingness of local governments to regulate online gambling to replenish their coffers, all of these make Africa unique.

One in every eight people on planet earth live in Africa. And a good number of Africa’s 1.3 billion people love to bet — enough that the continent’s overall gambling market is projected to be worth $17.63 billion in 2025, and grow at a CAGR of 4.23% from 2025 to 2029.

While all online verticals are popular across the continent, the biggest story is sports betting. Football fever has spread like wildfire across numerous African markets, and increasing levels of interest in sports are driving growth in the betting sector. Football betting, most often done via mobile, is by far the top vertical in many African markets.

African online gambling is currently undergoing a significant transformation, presenting new challenges and opportunities for industry stakeholders. This exciting journey is only just beginning, promising a fascinating and transformational adventure. Read the article till the end and find out all the popular trends and developments in online gambling in Africa.

Review of online gambling in Africa

South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are the three largest gambling markets in Africa. In this article, we take a closer look at these countries, as well as a few other key markets – Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania.

South Africa

South Africa's gambling industry is the largest market on the continent. Online gambling GGR in the country reached ZAR 59.3 billion (€3.07billion) in the 2023-24 financial year, setting a new record for the country. This isn’t just a big number, but a big leap; the previous year’s total GGR was ZAR 47.12 billion, making for a massive 25.7% jump.

Sports betting accounted for ZAR 35.91 billion, or 60.5%, of total revenues, and ZAR 28.97 billion of that was from online betting, meaning the online sector accounted for over twice as much revenue as retail did.

According to a recent survey by GeoPoll, nearly 75% of the population have participated in gambling at least once in their lives. A 2022 survey by market research firm TGM found that approximately 49.4% of South Africans had bet on sports in the past 12 months, 24.6% of respondents bet on sports a few times a week, 6% bet once a month, and 27.5% bet a few times a year or less.

The most popular sports for betting are soccer, cricket, rugby and golf. Land-based casinos, while not noticeably growing in popularity, did generate ZAR 6.94 billion in GGR in 2024. Limited payout machines and bingo are also popular in the country.

While retail verticals still do a brisk business, the rapid rise of online betting is undeniable. It stands to reason; the country is more connected than ever. According to data from the World Bank, 75% of South Africans have access to the internet, and there are 167 mobile cellular subscriptions for every 100 people.

Gambling in South Africa is regulated on a state-by-state basis, with online betting only permitted in certain provinces, such as the Northern Cape, the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, and others.

Additionally, only online branches of land-based betting shops are allowed; standalone online platforms are not, being listed in the 2004 national gambling law under the general category of “interactive games”. This list includes bingo, poker, and other online games, including slots. Under current South African law, funds won at online casinos are considered illegal. Banks monitor such financial activities and players can be subjected to serious penalties.

Nigeria

According to the World Bank, Nigeria’s GDP was approximately $364 billion in 2024, making it the fourth-highest in Africa. This impressive figure is due to the size of Nigeria's population of over 220 million, which is almost double that of any other African country.

Combine that vast population with a high rate of gambling participation (GeoPoll found that 65.32% of Nigerians respondents had participated in some form of gambling) and you have the second largest gambling market in Africa. It’s even been estimated by the Cross River State Lottery Gaming Agency that as many as 60 million Nigerians bet every day.

The market has grown steadily since a ban on gambling was lifted in 2004, with the country expected to generate gambling revenues of $3.63 billion by the end of 2025, according to Statista.

Nigeria is a central part of Africa’s sports betting boom, which is largely driven by increasing connectivity. In line with a development path unique to Africa, mobile access has quickly outstripped broadband; while only 36% of Nigerians are estimated to have internet access, there are 103 mobile subscriptions per 100 people. Yes, Nigerians love to bet online, but no, they’re not doing it on a computer. It’s a mobile-first market.

The sheer size of the Nigerian market and the local population’s love of sports betting, particularly football betting, mean that Nigeria is only growing more and more appetizing to iGaming operators.

Kenya

Kenya, another hub of the African betting boom, is home to approximately 55 million people. It is one of Africa's leading economies, and gambling is fully legal, freely promoted, and highly popular.

Most forms of gambling are legal in Kenya. Although online casinos are still developing, as many as 83.90% of adults have engaged in some kind of betting, according to GeoPoll. The market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (2024-2029) of 5.60% to reach $130.90 million by 2029.

Online sports betting is by far the most dominant vertical in Kenya, with 63.8% of respondents to a TGM survey claiming they had participated in sports betting in the past 12 months. Just like in Nigeria, mobile is the first, best, and probably final option; in 2019, GeoPoll found that 88% of Kenyan gamblers bet via their mobiles, with 55% doing so at least once a week.

Casino gaming is also popular. Kenya is home to 30 licensed land-based casinos, though these see far less participation than online sports betting platforms; only 36% of respondents placed bets in a casino.

Like in Nigeria, mobile connectivity has leapfrogged standard internet access. While roughly 32% of individuals in the country use broadband, there are an estimated 114 mobile subscriptions per 100 people. Given the dominance of mobile, it’s no wonder that M-Pesa made Kenya ground zero for mobile money payment solutions.

And, as is common in African markets, Kenyan players place high volumes of low-value bets; while 32% bet once a week, nearly 60% spend $10 per month or less on betting.

Tanzania

Tanzania is another example of an Africa market with growth driven by large numbers of low-value sports bets placed via mobile.

With a population of over 65 million, there’s a sizable base to build on, especially given local attitudes towards gambling; 71.13% of respondents to one poll had done some betting, and 31% bet at least once a day.

Gambling in Tanzania is regulated by the Gaming Board of Tanzania, which was established by the Gaming Act of 2003. The GBT oversees licensing and ensures compliance. Gambling companies in the country are subject to a 25% GGR tax, and operators are required to charge a 10% tax on Tanzanian players’ net winnings.

Overall, Tanzania is still a relatively small gambling market when compared to others in the region. According to Statista, online casino revenue in Tanzania was expected to reach $480,000 in 2024, and to finally break $1 million in 2029. Online sports betting revenues are healthy, with the market projected to generate $9.8 million in 2025, and reach nearly $15 million by 2029.

Tanzanian bettors’ tastes are in line with those of the wider region. Football is far and away the favorite vertical, with 63.21% of respondents to a 2021 GeoPoll survey attesting that they preferred betting on the world’s favorite sport. Other sports, such as basketball, tennis, and rugby, are also popular.

Like Kenya and Nigeria, mobile money payments like M-Pesa and Tigo Pesa are popular among players; an estimated 45% of adults in the country had a mobile money account. And while only 25% of individuals in the country are estimated to have access to the internet, it’s projected that there are 86 mobile subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.

Ghana

Ghana has a similar story to the other markets in this article. Gambling participation is relatively high, with 41.7% of Ghanaian respondents to one survey indicating they had participated in sports betting within the last 12 months. Football, unsurprisingly, is the favorite sport to bet on for 76.53% of Ghanaians, though betting on basketball, tennis, cricket, volleyball, and rugby is also common.

Potential suppliers will be interested to know that gambling legislation in Ghana allows all types of land-based and online gambling. Ghanaians have access to all foreign gambling sites of their choice, which contributes to the growing popularity of online gambling with each passing year. Online gambling market revenue is projected to reach $57.42 million by the end of 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.16% (2024-2029), leading to a market size of $73.83 million by 2029.

There’s a strong preference for mobile; 70% of sports bets are placed on phones, per a 2023 report by the International Gaming Standards Association, and 80% of internet users access betting sites via mobile instead of laptop. And like in other countries we’ve covered here, Ghanaians are more likely to access the web with a phone than with a computer; internet penetration is only 68%, while there are 134 mobile subscriptions for every 100 people.

Uganda

With a population of 47 million and a high estimated rate of gambling participation (71.43% of Ugandan respondents to a GeoPoll survey reported that they had placed bets) Uganda is absolutely not to be overlooked.

In the first half of 2023, total turnover ran to Shs 2.1 trillion. Betting activity kept up for the rest of the year, and by the end of 2023 the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board had collected USh 151 billion (€38 million).

Connectivity does lag behind other markets covered here, with only 26% of Ugandan individuals using the internet and only 65 mobile subscriptions per 100 people. However, there’s no reason that won’t improve over time.

Features of launching iGaming projects in Africa

Many brands have failed in their attempts to enter African markets, resulting in companies closing down at a loss. Getting to know some of the unique features of launching an iGaming project in Africa can help avoid wasting your investment. Let's take a look at the specifics of starting a gambling business in Africa.

1. Legislation and licensing: Before launching a gambling business, it is necessary to thoroughly research the legislation of each particular country. Some countries may have strict gambling licensing laws and requirements. Obtaining a license can be financially draining and time consuming, especially if you try to do so without help.
2. Unique research methods: African markets are extremely different from more established markets in Europe and Asia. Therefore, they require the application of diverse methods and rejection of template approaches familiar to other regions.
3. Prevalence of older technology: Despite the spread of the internet, many regions still lack stable access. In addition, users often have outdated devices, which limits the ability to use resource-intensive applications and games.
4. Simple promotional campaigns: Locals are not familiar with complex bonus systems, so simple promotional campaigns are more likely to be effective.
5. Stable gaming sites and payment systems: Due to the continent’s less extensive telecommunications infrastructure, there is a high risk of disruptions in the operation of websites and payment systems. Web pages should use minimal data, technical failures should be foreseen, and backup payment providers should be available.
6. Physical presence in the country: Running an iGaming business in Africa from abroad is almost impossible. A local office with technical support and a helpdesk is a must.
7. Classic advertising: In Africa, traditional forms of advertising such as television, radio, street promoters, and outdoor banners have a higher value compared to digital advertising.
8. Localization: The average age of consumers in Africa is around 20 years old, which also needs to be taken into account when conducting market research. It is important to adapt your strategy to local cultural specificities, preferences and player requirements. This includes choosing appropriate games, currencies, languages, and payment methods.
9. Long-term potential: Investing in African markets requires an understanding that return on investment may be delayed compared to more developed markets.

Regulatory frameworks for online gambling in Africa

The local characteristics of Africa have significantly influenced the development of the online gambling market.

In some African countries, traditional gambling is heavily regulated or even banned, which has led to a demand for online gambling as an alternative. Online gambling platforms provide people with the opportunity to participate in games without the restrictions imposed by regulators.

Moreover, the absence of land-based casinos in many African countries has also contributed to the growth of the online gambling market, as it is a convenient and affordable option – especially for players starved of options.

In many regions, gambling laws are unclear, outdated or simply ignored. Unlike other parts of the world, the vast majority of countries in Africa have a favorable attitude toward gambling. The exceptions are in countries where Islam is predominant and gambling faces legal restrictions due to religious prohibitions.

Apart from legal restrictions, fraud is a common problem in the industry due to the lack of strict regulations. However, countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are actively fighting fraud and striving to clean up the gambling industry.

In short, despite its challenges, Africa has huge potential for online casino and betting platforms.

The Future of Online Gambling in Africa

We are absolutely certain that the gambling industry in Africa will continue to grow. Here's why:

• As a larger middle class emerges, incomes rise.
• The spread of internet access and the low price of computers and smartphones allow more people to go online.
• There is an increased interest in Western culture, which extends to online gambling.
• Overall, there is improvement in gambling taxation conditions and legislation.

With all this in mind, as well as a general acceptance for all forms of gambling, we think it's fair to say that the continent holds tremendous potential for iGaming businesses. The market is actively expanding and there are many new betting sites in Kenya and many other countries.

Increased internet and mobile connectivity as a catalyst for growth

Mobile phones have become ubiquitous — and betting opportunities along with them.

Today, in order to play at a casino or bet on a sporting event, you don't have to go to a land-based casino or bookmaker's office, or even turn on your computer. All it takes is a smartphone or tablet with internet access — the convenience of betting anywhere has become commonplace, as players can easily access online casinos wherever they are.

This is where the idea of Telegram Casino, a major breakthrough in the mobile gaming industry, was born. Slotegrator's Telegram Casino offers an alternative to conventional casino sites with the help of a chatbot seamlessly integrated into the messenger platform.

The main advantage of interacting with a chatbot is its convenience. The bot is an alternative interface for the casino site, greatly simplifying the process of registration, game selection, and deposit. Telegram Casino guarantees a pleasant, easy, and safe gaming process for all participants.

A significant advantage of this product is Telegram’s worldwide popularity, which means a constantly growing user base from which you can bring in new players to your casino. Given the dynamic development and diversification of mobile gaming in various markets, integrating Telegram Casino opens up promising opportunities for business expansion in the future.

Conclusion

The future looks bright for iGaming in Africa. Potential regulation of the industry in various African countries could open up a new era of growth and prosperity similar to the achievements we have seen in Brazil. With Africa's population of 1.3 billion, a growing middle class, and increasing spread of internet and mobile technology, the continent is ready to become a key player in the global gambling market.

As one of the iGaming industry’s leading software developers, we are always ready to share our industry knowledge and advise operators on the most relevant issues. Our solutions for developing and launching online casino projects, as well as services for obtaining a gambling license can help save you time and resources. Fill out the form below and our managers will contact you to find the right solutions for your business goals.