Africa is known for many wonderful things. From the vast desert landscapes to the variety of beautiful cultures, the continent is full of opportunities for exploration and discovery. It is also home to many growing industries, including the iGaming sector.
In some African countries, the iGaming market is making huge progress and growing at an incredible rate. In others, iGaming is virtually non-existent or faces strong backlash from local government and residents.
Whether you are planning to travel to this vast continent or simply want to compare international laws, here is an overview of the African iGaming market.
iGaming
If you’ve heard the term “iGaming” but don’t fully understand it, it refers to any online platform that allows players to bet on the outcome of an event or casino game.
According to this definition, the iGaming industry includes online sports betting providers, online casinos, eSports, poker and any other game or service that allows players to bet real money online.
In 2022, the iGaming market was valued at nearly $250 billion globally. Africa accounted for approx 2.2 billion dollars— less than one percent of the world’s total market value.
Legislation
One of the main reasons for Africa’s small iGaming market is the strict legislation surrounding online gambling in many of its countries. Countries like Somalia and Egypt are known for their strict gambling regulations. In both of these areas, online and in-person gambling is prohibited.
Other countries are starting to develop iGaming industries, although it is a slow process due to the lack of regulations. In places like Botswana and Angola, no laws specifically prohibit or allow online betting.
Due to the lack of regulations, international operators provide their services to players in these regions. While many players in these unregulated areas are hesitant to bet online due to unclear laws, this is slowly changing as more players register accounts and place bets without repercussions.
Unlike the strict countries mentioned above, many others have actively embraced iGaming. These regions have revised laws or passed new legislative bills that allow online gambling and establish a legal framework for the industry to operate. Some of these countries include:
South Africa
South Africa has the largest gaming market in Africa. The industry generates $1.8 billion (about ZAR 34 billion) annually and has recently had a huge influx of online casinos. Sports betting has also been allowed since the early 2000s.
All gambling activities, whether online or in person, taking place in the country are regulated by the National Gaming Act 2006. This replaced the 2004 draft law, which was the first to make any provision for online betting .
The South African National Gaming Board (SANGB) is responsible for monitoring gambling activity and ensuring that providers are licensed. Permits are issued by various administrative bodies based in the various provinces. One of the leading bodies is the Mpumalanga Financial Regulatory Authority.
Nigeria
Second only to South Africa, Nigeria has a rapidly growing iGaming market. The country has the continent’s largest economy, which means residents tend to spend money on betting. With the launch of many online casinos that accept Nigerians, smart players are researching and finding the best licensed casino sites I am using.
Providers in the country must comply with all regulations set out in the National Lottery Act 2005. This Act includes the legal framework for any gaming activity within the country.
The Nigerian Lottery Regulatory Commission enforces the law and ensures that all regulations are followed. The commission is responsible for the control and licensing of casinos operating in the region. Bookmakers must also apply for a license from the commission to operate.
Ghana
For a long time, all forms of gambling were illegal in Ghana due to the Casino Licensing Ordinance enacted in 1975. These laws were repealed with the passage of the National Gaming Act 2006, which paved the way for a dynamic and expanding market iGaming.
In addition to legalizing almost all forms of betting, the law also made special provisions to create a framework for iGaming services. The Ghana Gaming Commission (GGC) regulates all gambling in the country and is responsible for issuing licenses to operators.
Kenya
Kenya is one of the few countries in Africa with a long history of legalized gambling. The first laws regulating gambling were passed in 1966. The most recent Gambling Act of 2011 regulates all forms of gambling, including online betting.
Domestic operators must apply for a license to the Betting Control Licensing Commission. This board monitors all gambling activities within the region and ensures that gambling service providers operate within the law.
Tanzania
Prior to online gambling, Tanzania did not have a solid legal framework for gambling. The Internet Gambling Regulation 2012 was the country’s first comprehensive gambling law, including a basic framework for regulating online gambling.
Although still small compared to countries like Nigeria, the iGaming industry in Tanzania is quickly gaining traction. The development of the market is overseen by the Tanzania Gaming Board, which ensures that all applicable regulations are followed and that the sites are properly licensed.
Uganda
Uganda is one of the latest African countries to support the online gaming industry. It is also one of the few countries — along with those listed above — where online betting is legal.
The Uganda National Gaming Board regulates all forms of gambling in the region. This council operates under the rule of the National Gaming Act, which was passed in 2013. Alongside license operators, the council ensures that players gamble responsibly and that providers do not take advantage of anyone seeking to place a bet.
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