Top Gambling Markets in Africa

Gambling in Africa has exploded in recent years, thanks to mobile phones, better internet access, and a young population looking for new ways to be entertained. The African market is expected to be worth nearly $17.6 billion by 2025, with sports betting leading the way. 

South Africa is the clear front-runner, but countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana are making their mark too.

South Africa: Africa’s Biggest Gambling Market

South Africa is by far the largest gambling market on the continent, making up more than half of Africa’s gambling revenue. In the 2023–24 financial year, the industry pulled in R59.3 billion (€3.07 billion) – a 25% jump from the year before. Most of that comes from sports betting, with soccer, rugby, cricket, and golf being the favourites.

The country has 39 land-based casinos, along with a thriving horse racing scene at tracks like Greyville, Turffontein, and Kenilworth. Limited payout machines and bingo also play a role.

Licensed online sports and horse betting are allowed, but only in certain provinces. Even with those restrictions, surveys show around 90% of adults in South Africa gamble in some form, showing just how popular betting is.

Nigeria: Big Population, Big Potential

Nigeria has Africa’s second biggest gambling market, mostly thanks to its size. With over 220 million people, it’s the most populated country on the continent. Estimates suggest around 60 million Nigerians place bets every day, with football being the clear favourite.

Legal gambling was introduced in 2004 and is regulated by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission. But illegal operators remain common, which creates risks for players. Despite that, revenues are expected to reach $3.63 billion by the end of 2025. Nigeria is also a mobile-first market, where most betting happens on phones through small, regular wagers.

Kenya: Betting on the Go

Kenya may have a smaller population (about 55 million), but it’s Africa’s third-largest gambling market. The big driver here is mobile betting. Services like M-Pesa make it easy for people to deposit and withdraw money straight from their phones.

More than 7 million Kenyans have sportsbook accounts, and football dominates betting slips. The country does have 30 licensed casinos, but online betting is far more popular. Taxes on winnings have increased in recent years, pushing some operators to leave, but demand for betting remains strong.

Ghana: Small but Well-Regulated

Ghana is proof that you don’t need a huge population to build a strong gambling market. With just 34.5 million people, it still ranks among the top four markets in Africa. One reason is its clear, long-standing gambling laws that date back to the 1960s.

Ghanaians enjoy a wide range of options, from sports betting and the national lottery to slots and horse racing. The capital, Accra, is home to most of the country’s seven casinos. Online gambling is also growing steadily, with revenues expected to reach $73.8 million by 2029.

Note: Values shown in USD for easy comparison. Original figures were reported in local currencies and/or projections from cited sources.

What they all have in common is a young, mobile-savvy audience and fast growth in online betting. South Africa’s challenge is whether to ease restrictions on online casinos, while other countries must find a balance between growth and proper regulation. 

Either way, Africa’s gambling industry is only getting stronger and is set to become a major global player in the years to come.