The increasingly popular sports betting industry in Africa can be an effective way out of poverty. This is according to gambling experts and bettors from different countries, despite the fact that its growth is hampered by poverty, unemployment and little or no regulation.
The majority of online betting is on European football matches, especially World Cup matches, in the past period.
A South African government survey on gambling revealed in 2017, that there is an increase in the percentage of sports betting and the number of South African players.
Similarly, the National Gambling Board, responsible for overseeing regulation in the gambling industry across the country, stated that sports betting accounts for almost half of all gambling.
In contrast, neighbouring Kenya has reported a decline in gambling since 2019, due to taxes imposed on betting.