[imagesource: Indo-African Chamber of Commerce]

The second-largest continent offers history and heritage, mesmerising nature, and welcoming people. It is also a gambling Mecca for gambling enthusiasts. Therefore, if you want to learn more upfront, we present the African countries that gamble the most. 

South Africa 

The region’s third-highest GDP, leading to a strengthening of the middle class and increased purchasing power, makes South Africa an attractive area for various investors, including gambling operators. What’s more, South Africa is the continent’s largest gambling market – almost half of the African gambling gross revenue comes from this state. 

Although the 2020 global crisis has negatively affected all sectors, the situation with gambling is getting better, primarily thanks to sports betting, which makes up almost 24% of the industry’s GGR. Some estimates predict that the revenue coming from sports betting will double in size in the next five years, while the entire GGR is expected to grow by over $2.3 billion by 2023. 

Still, gambling enthusiasts in South Africa face certain limitations. For instance, online gambling is prohibited. According to the National Gambling Act of 2004, it’s illegal to offer and participate in interactive games online, including slots and table games. 

On the other hand, betting on sports and horse races is allowed online and with traditional bookmakers. That’s why almost 50% of adults in South Africa bet on sports regularly. Their favorite bet-on sports are rugby, golf, cricket, and football. 

Kenya 

Unlike many African countries, including South Africa, online gambling is allowed in Kenya. The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) issues the licenses. In addition, gambling via various mobile devices gained popularity in the past couple of years as most bettors in Kenya use some mobile betting websites. 

Therefore, sports betting is the most popular gambling activity in Kenya. Around seven million Kenyans have an account that they mostly use to bet on football. 

However, nothing is perfect. 

The same year the Gaming Act that regulates online gambling was put in force (2019), the government of Kenya announced a possible 20% tax on stakes. That may not be so alarming if the 15% tax on the GGR already didn’t exist. Consequently, the potential tax increases forced big players to leave the country’s gambling market, resulting in the fall of GGR in 2020 to $175 million (in 2018, it was $300 million).

Ghana

Ghana takes a deserved first place in African countries with the most regulated gambling sphere. In the past six decades, Ghana’s local government has put in force various gambling laws, including:

• Lotto & Betting Act 94 of 1960 – the beginning of Ghana’s national lottery
• Football Pools Authority Act 78 of 1961
• Regulation of casino licensing and slots – 1970

Players from Ghana enjoy the lottery. The National Lottery Authority is responsible for the game offer, while players can access it via smartphones and other mobile devices. 

Slots are also popular in Ghana as they are easy to play and make a deposit while offering various bonuses and considerable payouts. As almost everyone on the continent, Ghana’s punters enjoy betting on sports, primarily European football leagues. 

Finally, there are no limitations for Ghana’s punters as they are allowed to register an account on foreign sites. 

Nigeria

As the most populous nation on the continent, Nigeria is a fertile area for running an online sports betting site. A breathtaking $2 billion comes from sports bettors per year. 

However, online gambling is still subject to debate. The conflict between two regulatory bodies, the Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) and the Lagos State Lotteries Board (LSLB), slows down the creation of a gambling-related regulatory framework. The conflict is about who should issue licenses and collect associated fees. 

Although Nigeria’s residents enjoy gambling, their options are limited to three land-based casinos, one in Lagos and two in the country’s capital. 

Uganda

Last but not least on our list is Uganda, another African country where sports betting is pretty popular. Gambling, in general, is a favorite activity among many Ugandans, and it has risen in popularity in the past fifty years. The trend was highly beneficial for the country, as it led to an increase in tax revenue coming to the country’s coffer. 

For instance, In 2018, tax revenue for sports betting was around $12 million. 

Still, in 2019 the local authorities announced a possible ban on online gambling. The information came as a shock considering the money coming from the gambling industry. As expected, they withdrew a proposal a few days later after the announcement. 

Additional information: the National Gaming Board issues the licenses. The licensing prices vary between gambling types and whether you are a domestic or foreign operator. According to that, you will have to pay: 

• $5,500 for sportsbooks
• $13,600 for casinos. 

These prices are for investors from all around the world as the fees for locals range from $2,700 and $4,000.

Although online gambling is subject to debates in many African countries. With the popularity of sports betting in the number of players enjoying mobile casino games, it is clear that Africa will become a lucrative market for clients as long as it is ready to create and enforce adequate legislation.