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The continent’s digital economy is growing faster than almost any other region in the world. Beneath it, lies one of Africa’s largest hidden economic opportunities.
Mobile connectivity, digital payments and one of the world’s youngest populations continue to reshape industries in Africa–from financial services to entertainment–and gaming is no exception.
Gaming Compliance International’s (GCI) latest continent-wide study estimates that Africa’s online sports betting and casino market generated $23 billion in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) during 2025, up from $20 billion in 2024.
The regulated market grew from $4.4 billion to $5.2 billion, increasing its share from 22% to 23%. However, unregulated Gross Gaming Revenue also increased from $15.6 billion to $17.8 billion, accounting for 77% of the entire market.
The Online Gaming 2024-2025: Africareport illustrates two aspects at once. The first is encouraging: regulation is working in several African markets. The second is more sobering: the unregulated market continues to expand faster than the regulated sector.
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Matt Holt, Chief Executive Officer of GCI, believes the findings provide regulators with an unprecedented opportunity.
“For the first time, we can see the whole of Africa’s online gambling market clearly. Nation by nation, across two full years, the picture is encouraging. The regulated sector is growing, and in several countries, it is starting to gain ground. That tells us these tools work.”
“Our job is to give regulators a complete and honest view of their own market, so they can build on the progress this data now shows,” he adds.
The report reveals that between 2024 and 2025, consumer participation increased from 198 million Africans (13% of the population) to 215 million (14%).
At the same time, exposure to licensed operators improved marginally from 10% to 11%, while exposure to unregulated operators declined slightly, from 90% to 89%. Meanwhile, the number of unregulated operators actively targeting African consumers increased from 3,644 to 4,129.
These figures demonstrate that demand for online gambling is not Africa’s challenge; consumers are already participating in significant numbers. The challenge is ensuring that more of this activity takes place within regulated marketplaces where governments can collect revenue, consumers are protected and responsible operators can compete fairly.
The implications extend well beyond gaming.
According to the report, Africa forfeited an estimated $3.55 billion in potential tax revenue during 2025 because gaming activity occurred outside regulated markets. Those regital transformation initiatives across the continent
The findings also challenge traditional thinking about regulation. Success should not be measured by the number of licenses issued or enforcement actions undertaken. Instead, regulators should ask a more fundamental question: Are consumers choosing regulated markets?
This shift in thinking also applies to taxation.
Taxation should not exist solely to maximize government revenue. It should encourage compliance, attract investment and strengthen regulated markets. Where tax policies become overly burdensome, consumers and operators naturally migrate towards unregulated alternatives.
Equally important is recognizing that today’s online gambling ecosystem extends beyond licensed operators. Consumers discover betting platforms through search engines, affiliate websites, streaming platforms, app stores, payment providers and social media. Effective regulation must therefore address the wider digital ecosystem rather than focusing exclusively on licensed operators.
Despite the scale of the challenge, the report highlights encouraging progress. The regulated market expanded by $800 million in one year, demonstrating that evidence-based regulation can shift marketplace outcomes even as the total market continues to grow. Several jurisdictions improved policy clarity, licensing frameworks and regulatory coordination, demonstrating that evidence-based regulation can shift market behavior.
“Africa’s online gambling marketplaces should not be defined by their challenges; they should be defined by their opportunity,” says Ismail Vali, President of Gaming Compliance International.
“Millions of consumers already participate in online betting and gaming, creating substantial economic activity and the potential to deliver sustainable local commerce, public revenues, and safer consumer outcomes. The challenge is not creating demand; the challenge is ensuring that demand is captured within the regulated sector.”
He adds: “Marketplace outcomes are the ultimate measure of regulatory success. The objective is not simply to regulate licensed operators [but rather] to optimize the entire online gambling marketplace so that consumers choose to enter, remain within, and benefit from the regulated sector”.
His remarks reflect a broader evolution in regulatory thinking across Africa. Increasingly, regulators are collaborating across borders, sharing intelligence and adopting evidence-led approaches that balance enforcement with market competitiveness.
Africa already has the consumers, the technology and growing regulatory capacity. The next phase will depend on how effectively governments, regulators and industry leaders work together to bring more of the continent’s $23 billion gaming economy into transparent, competitive and well-regulated markets.
The defining question for Africa is whether these gains can accelerate quickly enough to capture the revenue that still sits outside regulatory oversight.
If successful, the continent will unlock not only greater tax revenues but stronger consumer protection, increased investment and a more sustainable digital gaming economy for decades to come.
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