Africa is home to one of the fastest growing online gambling markets in the world. The continent’s natural features like the size of its people and resources give it a high potential for the iGaming industry.
It is the second most populous continent with an approximate population of 1.3 billion. Furthermore, the continent features a young population, many of them betting at live establishments or online.
These factors have led to Africa’s burgeoning market and attracted several local and foreign investors. Currently, there are hundreds of operators offering casinos, sports betting, poker, and virtual football to Africa residents both live and online.
You will find out that most of the companies on our list are sport betting sites, and it’s not a mistake. The most popular form of gambling in Africa is sports betting.
There is a high love for football in this region, which translates to more bets on this sport . However, some of the sportsbooks we offer also have casino platforms where players can enjoy both features with a single account.
Here are some of the most popular gambling companies with the largest subscribers’ base in Africa.
NairaBet
Perhaps the first sports betting site in Nigeria, NairaBet was founded in 2009 and regulated by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission in Nigeria.
Although the site is headquartered in Nigeria, it also offers services to other countries in Africa. The sportsbook has several live agents in different parts of Nigeria, but its online site is more popular with Nigerians.
The site offers winnings up to 20 million Naira ($48,640). It features a cash-out option that players can quickly opt out from a bet if they think it won’t favour them. One unique feature of Nairabet is that it allows account to account transfer.
The platform also features a casino lobby where players can enjoy a wide range of slots and table games like roulette and blackjack.
Bet9ja
Bet9ja is also another sportsbook giant based in Nigeria. It was established in 2013 and has since grown a large membership base amongst sports lovers and punters in Nigeria.
Although most of its customers are in Nigeria, it is present in other African states. The site is licensed by the Lagos State Lotteries Board. It features over 40,000 monthly matches that players can stake on
Betway
Betway is a European brand with an active presence in over seven African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana and Uganda.
The sportsbook was launched in 2006 and features decent odds across a wide range of markets. An important feature of Betway is the data-free feature of its mobile application.
You don’t have to use data to place bets with it, so an unstable internet connection won’t be a problem while using the app.
BetKing
Relatively new in the industry, Betking was created in Nigeria in 2018. However, the sportsbook is now available in Kenya and Ethiopia due to a massive expansion drive.
It features competitive odds and a modern betting experience that endeared it to many punters across Africa.
The sportsbook has several physical shops where customers can bet physically but is mainly famous for its website. Players can make up to 40 selections in one BetKing slip.
Betika
Betika is another leading online sportsbook in Africa with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The sports betting site offers services to Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria and other African countries where betting is permitted.
It is owned by Shop and Denver Limited, a private company with Kenyan shareholders. Betika is the primary sponsor of the Football Kenya Federation.
Its odds market and betting experience make it a favourite amongst African punters. It is licensed by the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB).
1xbet
1xbet is an international brand owned by a Cyprus-based company and licensed by the Curaçao Gaming Control Board.
Although 1xbet is not an indigenous African sportsbook, it is a top choice for many Africans.
The platform is currently in over nine jurisdictions in Africa like Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana.
Its notable features include live betting, cash-out feature and fantastic promotions. The top sportsbook was established in 2007.
Merrybet
Merrybet was established in 2013 in Nigeria. The site also accepts bets from punters in different African countries.
The betting platform initially started with casinos but added sports betting after noticing the potential in the sports betting industry.
Merrybet is known for quick and fast registration and an overall seamless betting experience.
Sportybet
Launched in 2013, Sportybet features legendary Nigerian striker Kanu Nwankwo as its brand ambassador.
The site currently holds licenses to operate in different African jurisdictions like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia.
Sportybet’s offerings go beyond standard casino and sports betting as members can also bet on e-games like Counter-Strike and League of Legends.
Final Thoughts
This list is not exhaustive. There are still a good number of gambling businesses operating in the African iGaming market. Mention fifty, and you would still have merely scratched the surface.
As the African online gambling market expands, it attracts more and more local and foreign investors. We are your number one site for everything related to gambling in Africa at an operator and player level.
You can be sure that we will give you correct and up-to-date information about the African iGaming industry as it unfolds.