Online sports bettinghas become increasingly popular in recent years. As a result, the business is quickly growing to keep up with demand and satisfy individuals who want to bet at home.
Given the great popularity of online gambling and sports betting in Africa. One of the most lucrative industries on the continent is online gaming, which is also home to some of the most advanced and fastest-growing economies in the world.
Iet's important to keep in mind that just because online gambling and sports betting are becoming more popular and in demand across the African continent, it doesn't mean that they are necessarily authorized and regulated everywhere.
Therefore, heed this warning: you must be aware of your jurisdiction's legal requirements and concerns. You don't want to be duped into signing up with a reputable operator only to discover that gambling is illegal in your country after you've already registered.
The good news is that with so many helpful tools and internet resources accessible, it's simple to locate specialized websiteslike UrbanKenyans, where fully-licensed online casinos and sportsbooks are not only listed but also organized by country.
Therefore, you may feel secure knowing that whichever supplier you choose has been tried, tested, and recognized as a respectable operator.
What Are Africa's Current Online Gambling Regulations?
For the time being, 38 of the 54 African nations that allow gambling and sports betting have banned it. The majority of these were carried over from colonial law, which forbade unauthorized gambling throughout the nation.
The industry is largely uncontrolled and underground as a result of its illegality. Online sports betting is legal in Ghana, but only on sites that have received a license. Sports betting is permitted in South Africa, but only in casinos and with authorized bookmakers.
Additionally, in order to wager online or in a betting establishment, you must be older than 18. Outside of the sports betting sector, it's not entirely clear how legal online gambling is in Africa. The majority of African countries lack specific online gambling regulations.
However, some nations have passed particular legislation regarding online gambling. Online gambling is prohibited everywhere except for Nigeria and Ethiopia, where it is only tolerated in certain places like casinos.
African Online Sports Betting
The only African nation that permits online sports betting is South Africa, but even there, governmental restrictions place restrictions on the sector.
South Africa allows online sports betting, but only on a select few games, including rugby and football. Prediction markets may not be used for non-sports-related topics.
Additionally, only legitimate online sportsbooks offer online sports betting. Even Internet sports betting is not available throughout the remainder of Africa.
Casinos Online In Africa
The only type of online gambling that is often authorized in Africa is casinogaming. Online poker rooms and sportsbooks do not exist. In actuality, there aren't many licensed internet casinos in Africa. South Africa does not have any internet casinos, and casinos abroad are typically subject to regulation.
The laws that govern internet casinos are remarkably similar to those that govern their physical equivalents. For instance, the Kenya Currencies and Financial Trading Authority (CBFT) oversees internet casinos in Kenya sportsbooks do not exist. In actuality, there aren't many licensed internet casinos in Africa.
South Africa does not have any internet casinos, and casinos abroad are typically subject to regulation. The laws that govern internet casinos are remarkably similar to those that govern their physical equivalents.
For instance, the Kenya Currencies and Financial Trading Authority (CBFT) oversees internet casinos in Kenya. The Zimbabwe Gaming and Wagering Board regulates them in Zimbabwe.
The creation of online casinos is not prohibited in other nations. Ghana, Botswana, and Mauritius are a few of these.
Although online casinos are generally allowed in Africa, it is always advisable to double-check the details before playing because local gambling laws can differ substantially.
Nigeria's Virtual Gaming License Program
In recent years, online gaming has become more popular in Nigeria, the continent's most populous nation.
As a result, the industry has experienced enormous growth and is today thought to be worth $3 billion. Online gambling and gaming are currently prohibited in Nigeria, just like they are in Kenya. As a result, money laundering, fraud, and cybercrime have all significantly increased.
The Nigerian government has introduced a new gambling regulatory framework to address this issue. Only a small number of carefully chosen gaming operators are given permits to provide online games to the general public through this virtual gaming license.
Severe license holder surveillance, including real-time monitoring, is also included in the virtual gaming license.
Computer Games Regulations Amendment Bill In South Africa
When it comes to gambling legislation and online gaming regulation in Africa, South Africa has always been a pioneer. In fact, in the 1990s, it was the first nation on the continent to allow and regulate sports betting.
Since then, although in a limited way, it has also been actively regulating internet gambling. However, the South African government intends to broaden the scope of online gambling regulation.
Poker, casino games, and sports betting are just a few of the many online activities that the Computer Games Regulations Amendment Bill 2018, which was proposed to the South African parliament in March 2018, wants to regulate.
The bill aims to impose a wide variety of licensing requirements on operators, including necessary cyber-security standards and minimal financial requirements.
Conclusion
People on the continent of Africa have something in common regardless of their ethnicity, religion, culture, language, or political views. Sports are their passion, particularly soccer.
With a median age of just 19.7 years and a population of over 1.3 billion people, nearly 40% of whom are under the age of 15, companies have access to a very appealing and lucrative market of betting in Africa.