The sentiment for online gambling in Africa varies largely. Considering the sheer mass of the continent, it would be a miracle if every single country shared the same thoughts on the matter. Luckily, the majority of African nations look favorably on iGaming, and it is easy to see why. With such a long history in sports such as football, physical sportsbooks have been a gambling haven for players for many years. Nowadays, the convenience offered by online sites makes it even easier to practice one of the continent’s favorite pastimes.
The Rise of Online Gambling in Africa
Africa came in a little late on the online gambling revolution, mainly because of a lack of early access to supporting technology. The onset of online gambling in the continent began when telecommunication devices became widespread in the late 2000s. But that would mean that African players had skipped the days of PC gaming and transitioned straight to mobile gaming. With the influx of affordable phones and tablets from the Occidental, there are now millions of smartphone users across Africa. Players can still access gambling sites with laptops and desktops, but mobile gaming is the preferred method and a criterion for the best online casinos. At the moment, over 30% of the continent’s population takes part in some form of online gambling.
Legal Status of Online Gambling In African Countries
The freedom of operation for most online casinos and sportsbooks in Africa is due to a lack of proper regulation. As mentioned earlier, online gambling wasn’t feasible for many years, so lawmakers didn’t consider that aspect when drafting relevant bills. We see countries like Ghana, whose 2006 Gambling Act makes no provision for virtual gaming, leaving it in a legal grey area at a time when other parts of the world were actively regulating the activity.
On the other hand, South Africa was quick to consider online gambling but deemed it illegal. Hence players in those parts had limited access to licensed online operators. However, it appears lawmakers are moving to relax the laws on online gambling to increase government revenue. This is prompted by the current economic setback, which has significantly affected the African economy, as with many others. Where players could no longer recourse to land-based casinos, the revenue received from these establishments in countries like South Africa and Lesotho dipped significantly. The iGaming industry became the only solution for avid players.
Analysts suggest that the online trend is likely to continue into the coming years, as players will choose to avoid the high fees at most SA land-based casinos. By turning to online gaming, free registration will allow you to play your favorite games and earn some fantastic bonuses alongside.
Hotspot Countries
The mobile gaming experience is continuously on the rise, and this sets Africa up to become one of the most lucrative gambling markets. Kenya and Uganda are emerging as hotspot countries, and the legislature is actively regulating online gambling to ensure the safety of players while moving to promote local operators. Nigeria is another country keen on leveraging existing interactive platforms, with online regulations in the works. More investors are entering the market, and to back these efforts is the fact that the people are in favor. The same could be said for Seychelles.
Considering the constant advancements in technology, prohibiting online gambling is no longer a practical step, as players will always find a way to bet. Implementing regulations to protect all parties and secure revenue appears to be the only solution, and fortunately, the countries mentioned above are already on the right path.