iGaming Africa: global suppliers expand presence in regulated markets
Africa continues to develop its betting market and attract financial interest from international companies. One of the most recent examples of this interest involves Aviator developer SPRIBE, which has joined the African iGaming Alliance (AiA), an association representing licensed operators across 20 jurisdictions on the continent. The move comes at a time of expansion in online betting across several African countries, driven by the increasing adoption of smartphones, wider internet access and advances in sector regulation.
Although the financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed, SPRIBE’s entry as an AiA Platinum Supplier indicates growing interest among international suppliers in following the regulatory evolution of African markets. The collaboration includes initiatives related to industry research, dialogue with regulators, responsible gaming programmes and discussions on public policies aimed at the betting industry.
According to the GSMA, mobile technologies and services contributed US$240 billion to the Sub-Saharan African economy in 2025, equivalent to 7.8 per cent of the continent’s GDP, a figure expected to reach US$290 billion by 2030.
The spread of mobile money is also supporting the growth of online betting. The region accounts for more than 1.1 billion registered mobile money accounts, representing more than two-thirds of the global total. Services such as M-Pesa, widely used in Kenya, allow bettors to deposit and withdraw funds directly through their mobile phones without the need for traditional bank accounts.
According to the African iGaming Alliance, the goal is to contribute to the development of sustainable and commercially viable markets, while encouraging measures capable of reducing the activity of illegal operators and increasing the participation of properly licensed companies.
African market gains relevance on the global stage
In recent years, several African countries have revised their rules for sports betting and online gaming. South Africa remains one of the most developed markets in the region, while countries such as Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana also show high levels of activity in the segment. In some of these jurisdictions, industry growth has prompted governments to discuss ways to increase tax revenues and strengthen player protection measures.
The GSMA estimates that Sub-Saharan Africa will reach approximately 751 million mobile subscribers by 2030. Growing connectivity has been identified as one of the main factors driving the expansion of digital betting across the continent. Football plays an important role in this process. European competitions such as the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League attract large audiences in several African countries and help boost sports betting volumes.
At the same time, newer categories of online games are also expanding their presence across the continent. Among them are crash games, characterised by fast rounds and simplified mechanics.
The continent has become particularly important for SPRIBE due to the popularity of Aviator. Unlike traditional casino games, titles in the crash category require low-value wagers and offer short rounds, characteristics that suit consumers who access platforms through smartphones and use digital payment methods. The format has gained popularity in several African markets, especially in countries where mobile betting predominates and where the use of mobile phones for financial activities is already part of everyday life for millions of people.
The sector’s growth coincides with a period in which operators are seeking to diversify revenues beyond mature markets in Europe and North America. Data from H2 Gambling Capital indicate that gross gaming revenue (GGR) generated by regulated African markets is expected to record an average annual growth rate of more than 16 per cent between 2019 and 2030, outperforming the projected performance of offshore operations.
South Africa remains the continent’s leading jurisdiction in terms of revenues, but countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Ghana are expected to gain market share throughout the decade.
Challenges remain
Despite the positive outlook, the expansion of online betting across the continent also raises concerns related to excessive gambling, particularly among younger populations. Authorities in Kenya and Uganda, for example, have already announced measures to strengthen controls on advertising and expand awareness campaigns about the risks associated with problem gambling. Well-structured regulations can help channel consumers towards authorised operators, providing safer environments and appropriate consumer protection mechanisms.
Despite the opportunities, the regulatory landscape remains fragmented. In many African countries, rules governing sports betting, online gaming and advertising still differ significantly between jurisdictions.
Consumer protection challenges also remain. The GSMA estimates that around 63 per cent of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa covered by mobile networks still does not use the internet regularly due to barriers such as device costs, limited digital literacy and concerns about online security.
This article was first published on the Portuguese SiGMA News page on 18 June 2026.
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