BETTING EXPERTS Africans Getting Hooked To Sports Betting Due To Smartphone Usage 3 years ago Samuel Post Views: 853 African millennials represent a rapidly growing population for sports betting, despite widespread poverty and high levels of unemployment in the region. Across the region, it is estimated that more than half of sub-Saharan African youth (17-35 years old) have bet on sports. Experts claim that this can further dampen the growth of an already struggling region, by encouraging gambling addictions. Combined with poverty and unemployment, gambling addictions can lead to maladaptive behaviours such as committing crimes or increased social anxiety and loneliness. While gambling has always existed in some form of another in Africa, it is only in the last few years that gambling has become a widespread issue within the region. Why? One key change is the advent of cheap smartphones and Internet access in Africa. Africa has a very young population when compared to the rest of the countries. Almost 60 percent of its people are younger than 25, and most of these youths are unemployed, hold insecure jobs, or work part-time. The allure of making quick money by gambling is very appealing to these young people which is a major factor behind the increase in sports betting throughout the continent. This desire is empowered by the production of cheap smartphones and Internet access in Africa. More African youths have a smartphone today than ever before and browse the net to keep updated on a number of sporting events, including sports that are not popular in Africa. Such access is useful for sports betting operators, as the exposure to international sports and popular sports clubs fuels the urge to place bets on their favourite teams and sporting events. Young Africans can now watch expensive pay-per-view games on their phones cheaply and do not have to subscribe to a cable provider. This allows them to follow just about every major sporting event around the world and gain real time access news and updates that they can use for insight on which teams to bet. A GeoPoll survey carried out in 2017 saw over 2,700 individuals from South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda participate and share their views. The survey revealed that Kenya had the highest percentage of sports betting with 74 percent. Those numbers are expected to have increased in the last couple of years. A number of African governments are now forced to address the increase of gambling addiction in the country and gaming regulators are taking steps to impose more restrictions on gambling providers. However with the increase of smartphone usage and cheap access to mobile internet, it is going to be hard to control African’s love for sports betting. Source: legalgamblingandthelaw.com About Post Author Samuel I am a journalist specializing in gambling in Africa and around the world. I am particularly interested in stories about games and casinos. See author's posts SamuelI am a journalist specializing in gambling in Africa and around the world. I am particularly interested in stories about games and casinos. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Tags: African gambling, milenials, pay-per-view Continue Reading Previous Gambling: A gateway to riches?Next African regulatory round-up: Building a picture of the legal landscape More Stories EXPERTS RWANDA Adam Bradford launches centre to train youth in Rwanda 1 day ago Iwo Bulski BETTING GHANA Why Ghana Must Widen the Distance Between Sports Betting and Education Centres 1 day ago Szarlot BETTING WORLD NEWS 1xBet Statement: Curaçao License is Valid and Fully Operational 1 day ago Iwo Bulski BETTING GHANA How to bet on sports responsibly? 1 day ago Szarlot EXPERTS KENYA BetEngines launches the first Sportsbook software solution tailor-made for the African market. 2 days ago Adeleye Awakan BETTING UGANDA Up To 20 Arsenal Fans Arrested Over Trophy Parade In Uganda 2 days ago Samuel BETTING NIGERIA 13 players win over N160m via BetKing’s ACCA 2 days ago Szarlot EXPERTS KENYA Ronald Karauri’s Inspiring Journey from Pilot to SportPesa Billionaire 2 days ago Szarlot EXPERTS KENYA Betting firms rush to comply with new tax regulations 3 days ago Samuel BETTING GHANA GFA urged to ban sports betting in Ghana Premier League 3 days ago Samuel EXPERTS SOUTH AFRICA The Gambling Laws of South Africa 3 days ago Szarlot BETTING HOT NEWS WORLD NEWS 1XBet declares bankruptcy 4 days ago Iwo Bulski Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.