iGambling is picking up pace across the African continent

The global online gambling industry has been growing at a fast rate over the last few decades, with casino operators always looking for new and exciting opportunities to expand their operations. In recent years, Africa has risen as one of the most promising markets for online gambling, catching the attention of a large number of players in the field.

The increasing number of digital gambling platforms and users stand as proof of the immense popularity that online gambling enjoys all across the African continent at the moment.

One may attribute this phenomenon to government intervention, as many countries have made legislative changes with regard to online gambling in an attempt to bring more money into the local economy. But while changes to the regulatory landscape have obviously played an important role in the growing popularity of online casinos on the African continent, there are many other factors at play here.

The factors behind the rise of online gambling in Africa

Interest in online casino games has spiked all over the world during the Covid pandemic, but in Africa, this trend has continued even after the health crisis subsided, with online casino sites having the upper hand over land-based casinos. There are various reasons why Africa has become such a fertile ground for the online gambling industry, and we’re going to look at all the main factors that have contributed to this growth.

Economic development

The African economy has been growing at a steady pace for the past decades, which has set the stage for the development of numerous industries, including online gambling. It’s true that the recent covid pandemic has taken a toll on the global economy, but unlike Europe and America, Africa has been less affected by the outbreak, so the economic repercussions were not as severe for African countries. The local economy was able to bounce back faster after the health crisis and is now continuing its upward trend.

A thriving economy coupled with a young and rapidly expanding demographic – over 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25 – makes Africa the perfect breeding ground for eGaming in general and online casinos in particular. However, not all counties provide the same opportunities for investors and casino operators, and that’s mostly due to the regulatory environment. While countries like Tanzania and Ghana have developed legal frameworks that allow and facilitate the activity of online operators, provided that they meet the legal licensing requirements, others such as Tunisia and Morocco have yet to embrace online gambling and only allow brick-and-mortar gambling establishments to operate on their territory.

Technological advancements

Tech advances have also favored the expansion of the online gambling industry on the African continent. Many African countries have experienced massive progress on the technological front over the past few years, with emerging technologies and innovations enjoying a high rate of adoption. Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Egypt have been quick to embrace the revolutionary 5G technology, offering faster internet speeds and better broadband experience to consumers.

Technological progress can be observed across a wide variety of sectors, with streaming services and video games at the top of the list. Competition in the video-on-demand arena has intensified a lot lately, with more people subscribing to streaming services offered by both local and international providers. As a result, the use of an online cinema guide and other similar platforms that can help viewers sift through the massive volume of video content has become commonplace nowadays.

Increased high-speed internet coverage, surging smartphone adoption, as well as the relatively low price for internet connectivity has led to the emergence of a tech-savvy generation who spends more time online than ever before. By the latest count, it is estimated that the African population makes up more than 11% of global internet users.

The use of AI and other emerging technologies in the gaming industry is not to be overlooked. Developers are doing everything in their power to make the gaming experience more immersive and ensure a better user experience, and the latest innovations in the field are surely making the world of online gambling a lot more appealing to consumers. Users can open an account on an online gaming platform following a few simple steps, choose one of the various casino deposit methods offered by the operator and then start gambling right away.

All these developments, doubled by the intensive marketing efforts employed by different gaming companies, have opened the doors widely to iGaming and supported the expansion of the online gambling industry in many parts of the African continent.

A deep-rooted passion for gambling

Economic growth and tech advancements may be the pillars of the online gambling industry in Africa, but there’s no question that part of the popularity that online casinos enjoy nowadays comes from people’s deep-rooted interest in gambling.

Africans have always had a soft spot for gambling activities, even before the advent of the internet, and the emergence of online casinos made it possible for users to access their favorite games with just a few simple clicks. But the convenience and the many perks provided by online gambling platforms have definitely made online casinos a lot more appealing to a large number of people and increased the demand for these types of games.

Nearly 140 million Africans engage in online gambling regularly, and the figure is expected to increase substantially in the years to come. And while the African online casino industry is still in its infancy, and there are still many issues that need to be addressed, especially when it comes to the policies in the sectors, it’s obvious that the continent has huge potential in this area.

Keep in mind that even if online gambling and sports betting have become widespread activities in Africa, this does not mean that all countries are on the same page in terms of legalization and regulations. So, if you want to enjoy a safe online gambling experience and avoid potential issues, you need to stay up to date with the legal provisions in your jurisdiction.

Source: techfinancials.co.za

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