South Africa and Nigeria currently dominate the African betting landscape, holding the largest market shares, with several other nations trailing behind.
The continent’s gambling industry is characterized by both the countries with the most significant market shares and those with the highest numbers of gamblers.
The sports betting market in Africa is substantial, featuring a large base of devoted users who invest significant amounts across various platforms, both online and offline.
According to a report by Slotegrator.com, the leading gambling markets in Africa are South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.
However, this ranking does not necessarily reflect the number of sports gamblers in these nations.
A recent survey conducted by GeoPoll in March 2024 revealed insightful data about gambling habits among users in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, utilizing the GeoPoll mobile app for data collection.
The survey results, shown in the table below, detail the percentage of respondents who engage in betting compared to those who do not:
Rank – Country % YES – % NO
1. Kenya 82.81 – 17.19
2. South Africa 73.94 – 26.06
3. Ghana 73.03 – 26.97
4. Uganda 71.43 – 28.57
5. Tanzania 71.13 – 28.87
6. Nigeria 65.32 – 34.68
Kenya emerged as the leader in the survey, boasting the highest percentage of respondents who participate in betting activities, followed closely by South Africa and Ghana.
Notably, football was identified as the most popular sport among bettors, with over 76.53% of respondents expressing a preference for it. Casino games followed, capturing the interest of 9.69% of the participants, while other sports accounted for 5.14%.
Despite the impressive contributions of the betting industry to local economies, governments across Africa have expressed growing concerns about its sustainability and impact, particularly regarding its influence on young people and those lacking stable incomes.
These worries have prompted calls for regulatory frameworks to be established across the continent.
Authorities are encouraged to enact laws that require betting sites and shops to secure proper licenses before operating, aiming to prevent exploitation and safeguard users’ livelihoods. By doing so, African nations hope to create a more secure betting environment that prioritizes the welfare of its citizens.
