As online betting and gaming continue to grow across Africa, governments are reviewing and updating their gambling laws. Recent reforms across the continent cover licensing, taxation, consumer protection and compliance, with several jurisdictions also introducing new technology to support regulatory oversight.
According to Gaming Compliance International’s recent report Online Gaming 2024-2025: Africa, Africa’s online gambling market generated an estimated US$23 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2025. Of that total, US$5.2 billion, or 23 per cent, was generated by regulated operators, while US$17.8 billion, representing 77 per cent, came from unregulated channels. The report also estimates that approximately 215 million people, equivalent to 14 per cent of Africa’s population, participated in online gambling during 2025.
These figures illustrate both the scale of the market and the challenge facing policymakers. Across much of the continent, governments are no longer focused solely on regulating licensed operators. Instead, they are seeking to create competitive regulated markets that encourage consumers to migrate away from unlicensed platforms while strengthening consumer protection, responsible gambling and tax collection.
Speaking exclusively to SiGMA News, Gaming Associates Director of Regulatory Affairs Roger Parkes said, “Experience has clearly shown time and again that a successful regime is based on well-thought-out and balanced licensing, products, taxation, regulation, technology, advertising, responsible gambling, and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) controls. African nations have the opportunity to adopt, adapt, and implement the best practices from more mature regulated markets, helping to fast-track their path to success.”
Across Africa, governments are updating gambling regulations to improve licensing, consumer protection, taxation and compliance. Parkes said these measures are important for building well-regulated gaming markets.
The expansion of internet access, smartphone use and digital payment services has coincided with the growth of online betting and gaming across Africa. Mobile payment platforms including M-Pesa, OPay, Airtel Money, Flutterwave and Paystack have become widely used for digital transactions in several African markets.
Sports betting is a major segment of Africa’s online gaming market. In recent years, several African countries have introduced new gambling legislation or updated existing regulatory frameworks covering licensing, consumer protection, taxation and compliance.
The regulatory approach differs across the continent, with each jurisdiction adopting its own framework for licensing, oversight, taxation and enforcement.
East Africa: Regulatory reform gathers pace
East Africa has introduced a number of gambling law reforms in recent years. Governments across the region are updating legislation covering licensing, taxation, consumer protection and regulatory oversight.
Kenya has introduced major changes to its gambling laws. The Gambling Control Act, 2025 replaced the country’s previous gambling law and established the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), replacing the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). The Act sets out the legal framework for licensing and regulating betting, gaming and lotteries.
The Act also includes rules on advertising, responsible gambling, consumer protection and enforcement. However, the Gambling Control (Licensing) Regulations, 2026 have been temporarily suspended after the High Court halted their implementation while a legal challenge is being heard.
The government has also proposed changes to gambling taxation. Under the Finance Bill 2026, winnings from gambling could be subject to a 20 per cent withholding tax. According to the Association of Gaming Operators Kenya (AGOK), gambling tax revenue reached KES 32 billion (US$247 million) by the end of April 2026.
Meanwhile, Uganda already has an established regulatory framework through the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB), which oversees betting, gaming and lotteries. In 2026, the regulator began updating the framework to better address online, remote and mobile gaming.
As part of these changes, the NLGRB is implementing the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS) to electronically monitor licensed gaming activities. The regulator has also said it is developing a licensing framework for remote gaming operators.
Alongside these reforms, the NLGRB and the Uganda Police Force impounded more than 6,000 illegal gaming machines during enforcement operations against unlicensed operators. Uganda also replaced the 15 per cent excise duty on betting and gaming stakes with a 5 per cent tax on customer deposits, while retaining the 20 per cent withholding tax on gambling winnings.
West Africa: Balancing regulation with market growth
West Africa has seen a number of regulatory developments in recent years, including changes to gambling laws, taxation, enforcement and lottery operations in Nigeria and Ghana. In Nigeria, the Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that lotteries and gaming fall under the authority of individual states. In 2026, a Lagos High Court confirmed the powers of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) to regulate betting operators. The Authority also issued a warning about unlicensed gaming operators, and the Lagos State Government introduced a 5 per cent tax on online bets. BetBlocker also reported reaching 10,000 users in Nigeria during 2026.
In Ghana, the National Lottery Authority (NLA) announced that lottery sales will move to digital platforms from August 2026 and carried out nationwide inspections of licensed lotto agents as part of its oversight activities. The Presidency also confirmed the legality of the NLA’s partnership with KGL Technology Limited and directed that the agreement be renegotiated. Separately, Ghana enacted legislation recognising cryptocurrency as a digital asset and establishing a regulatory framework for its use.
Southern Africa: Provincial regulation and oversight
South Africa’s gambling sector is regulated through a provincial licensing system. Each of the country’s nine provinces is responsible for licensing and regulating gambling activities within its jurisdiction through its provincial gambling regulator. Among the provincial regulators, the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board and the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator have played an active role in licensing, compliance and regulatory oversight. Other provincial regulators have also increased enforcement activities, with the Limpopo Gambling Board taking action against illegal gambling operations and the Eastern Cape Gambling Board calling for stronger compliance measures.
At the national level, the NGB invited expressions of interest for a system to monitor illegal online gambling, while the National Gambling Policy Council continued work on proposed gambling reforms. South Africa and Tanzania signed a memorandum of understanding covering cooperation on lottery regulation and oversight. In a separate development, the South African Bookmakers Association (SABA) urged the government to strengthen action against illegal offshore gambling operators and block prediction market platforms.
North Africa: Diverse regulatory approaches
North African countries have different gambling laws. In Egypt, gambling is limited to licensed venues serving foreign tourists, while online gambling remains prohibited. The government instructed internet service providers to block online betting applications, and Parliament considered amendments to the Cybercrime Law that would explicitly criminalise online betting applications and impose penalties on operators and users of unauthorised platforms.
As part of the 2026/27 Budget, the Mauritian government proposed amendments to the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act. The proposals cover casino licensing, the digital games framework, mandatory connection of casino and Gaming House servers to the Mauritius Revenue Authority’s Central Electronic Monitoring System (CEMS), and changes to the betting tax for horse racing.
The measures in the region address different aspects of gambling regulation, including online betting, licensing, digital gaming and regulatory oversight.
Technology as the backbone of modern regulation
Technology is becoming an important part of gambling regulation across Africa. Many jurisdictions require licensed operators to implement Know Your Customer (KYC) and AML measures to verify customers and meet licensing requirements.
Regulators are also introducing digital systems to monitor licensed gambling activity and improve regulatory reporting. In Uganda, the National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board (NLGRB) is implementing the National Central Electronic Monitoring System (NCEMS) to monitor gaming transactions in coordination with the Uganda Revenue Authority. Tanzania’s Gaming Board operates a Central Electronic Monitoring System for licensed operators. In Kenya, the Gambling Control Act, 2025, provides for an electronic central real-time gambling monitoring system, while licensed operators are required to connect with the Kenya Revenue Authority for tax reporting and compliance.
These systems allow regulators to access transaction data from licensed operators, monitor regulatory compliance and support tax administration. Depending on the jurisdiction, operators may also need to meet technical requirements such as system integration, interface certification, local data hosting and recertification when gaming platforms are updated.
A shared direction for Africa’s gaming future
Africa’s gaming sector continues to develop as countries review their gambling laws and regulatory frameworks. Recent developments across the continent show greater attention to licensing, compliance, taxation and technology-enabled regulatory oversight.
As these changes continue, operators will need to meet the regulatory and technical requirements of each jurisdiction.
This is the market of opportunity. From 15–17 February 2027, SiGMA Africa brings together operators, affiliates, suppliers and regulators in Cape Town. Be where the continent’s next chapter is being written.
