Redefining Entertainment In Ghana: Increased Popularity of Online Gaming Platforms

The massive popularity of online gaming in Ghana can be translated into numbers, but they don’t tell the whole story. According to a recent survey, 56% of the Ghanan population gambles online regularly, which places the country among the biggest online gambling markets in Africa.

Indeed, it’s a pretty impressive statistic for a country that’s not even among the Top 10 most populated in the continent.

Everybody loves a good game, but the popularity of the iGaming industry in Ghana goes way beyond that. Here’s why online gaming platforms are such a hit in the Gateway to Africa.

Stepping Up The Game

The online gambling industry is growing quickly in Ghana and worldwide, but its potential would remain largely untapped without its friendly regulatory framework. The first law directed to this industry was approved in 2006 when online gambling was still in its early days. In fact, gambling has been legal there since the 1960s, way before the arrival of the internet.

So, when online gambling came to be, it was just a matter of updating laws. Additionally, Ghana has a very young population (mostly under 35); smartphone ownership figures are above 99%, while 70% of the population is connected to the internet. That’s pretty much what online gambling companies like Hub88 need to thrive.

While most Ghanaians prefer to take their chances with sports betting, online casinos are also on the rise, with over 180 sites offering games like poker, blackjack, and slots. It’s a prosperous market for gambling sites and companies providing solutions for this industry, such as slot games aggregator platforms and other tech-related services.

Nowadays, Ghana is a well-established market with anti-money laundering laws and a licensing institution that defines which platforms can or cannot operate, creating a safe environment for players and operators. Here are the Top 5 African countries with the most online gamblers.

The Future of Online Gaming in Ghana
Online gambling is a massive industry in the country, and the future seems to be playing in its favor. Internet coverage already reaches most of the population, and it’ll likely increase in the next few years, also expanding to rural areas. The math is simple: the more people connected to the internet, the larger the potential market.

More importantly, the Ghanaian government has plans to make the 5G network accessible nationwide by 2026. Fast internet is a basic requirement for playing more complex games. This means that gambling options like live casino games and live betting will also be available to more players, but they also have other benefits.

New Payment Methods

The digital economy is set to rise in the country, and new and more convenient payment methods may emerge, allowing players to operate with different currencies while paying much lower fees. It’s great news in a country where less than 40% of the population has access to the banking system.

VR and AR Gaming
Additionally, players will be able to enjoy the latest trends in the industry, like VR and AR gaming. Naturally, such games require stable and ultrafast connection, plus the acquisition of headsets and glasses, which are still quite expensive. Nevertheless, the price of these gadgets is decreasing as big tech companies are fighting tooth and nail for this market. Likewise, the internet coverage is likely to increase and become more affordable.

Mobile Gaming
Mobile gaming is a key factor behind the growth of the iGaming industry, and it’ll likely expand. Most Ghanaians already have a smartphone, but the price of new-generation devices is heading south. So, they’ll have access to much more advanced games and features pretty soon. Mobile-friendly platforms will have a considerable edge over others, even more so if they offer mobile payment solutions.

Responsible Gaming
Promoting responsible gaming initiatives in well-regulated markets like Ghana is much easier. Many platforms catering to Ghanaian players already promote such initiatives, offering self-limiting and self-excluding tools to control players’ expenses and time online, which will likely become the norm in this industry.

Transparency and Safety
Reliability is an indispensable feature of any online gambling platform, and it goes way beyond holding a valid license. Operators must protect players’ data and funds while curbing fraud and scams. Lawmakers have been working on new regulations to ensure transparency regarding T&C, promotions, payouts, odds, and withdrawal information. Operators who fail to comply with such standards will risk penalties ranging from fines to license revocation.

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Predatory and misleading marketing strategies are a real threat to players, with potentially disastrous consequences. Current Ghanaian laws already deal with what is or isn’t allowed: marketing campaigns must be crystal clear regarding their promotions and products, never targeting vulnerable players. Still, ill-intended operators keep finding new ways to prey on innocent customers, and that’s why such laws need to be continuously improved.

Conclusion
Ghanaian online gambling laws are modern and solid, but there’s always room for improvement. Gambling has been part of the country’s culture for a while, but technological barriers still stand between gamblers and the latest innovations in this industry. Nevertheless, Ghana remains one of Africa’s biggest and most promising markets, and the popularity of online gambling platforms continues to rise.

FAQ

Is online gaming legal in Ghana?
Yes, Ghanaian lawmakers legalized and regulated the activity in 2006, followed by laws preventing financial crimes, predatory marketing strategies, and ensuring player protection.

What are the main factors driving the success of the iGaming industry in Ghana?
Ghana has a mostly young and tech-savvy population where nearly everyone has a smartphone and internet connection. Besides, traditional gambling has been legal in the country since the 1960s, which means Ghanaians have long been friendly towards casino games and sports betting.

How many Ghanaians gamble online regularly?
About 56% of the population engages with online gambling regularly, according to recent statistics, a figure that will likely grow in the future as digital technologies become more widely accessible.

Source: peacefmonline.com

About Post Author

Szarlot

I am a fan of casino games especially roulette and blackjack. After that I analyze current events in the gambling industry.

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Szarlot

I am a fan of casino games especially roulette and blackjack. After that I analyze current events in the gambling industry.