## Developing Gaming Sectors: An African Overview
Lorraine Pearlin, a Director at Global Betting and Gaming Consultants, investigates the present condition of the online gambling market within Africa. With a population exceeding one billion, Africa’s gaming industry falls considerably behind global counterparts. Interactive gaming revenue constitutes less than 2% worldwide. Nevertheless, recent times have witnessed specific African markets experiencing expansion, suggesting a surge in potential opportunities soon. This development, however, faces obstacles, as governmental and regulatory participation in the gaming sector frequently adds complexity to the path ahead.
South Africa provides a clear illustration. Advancements in online gambling regulation have been agonizingly gradual. Over a decade has elapsed since the 2004 National Gambling Act, which incorporated provisions for the National Gambling Board to assess and ultimately formulate legislation to oversee remote gambling.
Early on, there were signs of promise. In September 2007, the National Assembly’s Trade and Industry Committee endorsed the National Gambling Amendment Act, clearing the way for licensing and regulation of remote gambling. Operators prepared themselves, eager to submit license applications. However, the process became entangled in political stalemate, and the bill never achieved legal status.
A subsequent endeavor occurred in 2014 with the Remote Gambling Bill, but its prospects for success appear equally dim.
Its truly unfortunate that although South Africa has witnessed advancements by granting internet sports wagering permits via the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, virtual casino entertainment and poker persist in a state of uncertainty. This absence of distinct, modernized gaming regulations represents a significant lost chance for South Africa, depriving the nation of prospective investments and employment opportunities.
In 2014, Playtech, a prominent entity in the internet gambling sector, perceived South Africa as a crucial market for expansion within the continent. They even proceeded to formalize a collaborative agreement with casino operator Peermont Group. Nevertheless, without modifications to the gambling statutes, Playtech’s capabilities were restricted. Mor Weizer, Playtech’s Chief Executive Officer at the time, aptly articulated the situation: “We are confident that Playtech is strategically positioned to thrive throughout Africa if and when regulations progress, with South Africa being a primary target.”
Conversely, other African markets, such as Tanzania, have demonstrated greater agility in embracing digital gaming. Tanzania legitimized internet gambling, encompassing fixed-odds wagering, sports betting, simulated gaming, and lotteries, through revisions to the Gaming Act back in December 1999.
During 2011, the Tanzanian Gaming Board unveiled intentions to formulate novel online gambling legislation that would explicitly authorize online casino games. This ultimately resulted in Dunia becoming the inaugural licensed online casino and gaming provider in Tanzania in late 2013.
Dunia Investments Limited, the operator of the iplay8casino.com brand, opted for Microgaming’s Quickfire as its gaming framework when the website debuted in October 2013.
Notably, Iplay8 holds a license in Tanzania and caters to both English and Mandarin-speaking audiences. This underscores the substantial influence of Chinese capital in propelling economic expansion throughout Africa, accompanied by a considerable influx of Chinese laborers.
Within the realm of sports wagering, both M-Bet and MeridianBet.co.tz possess licenses from the Betting Board of Tanzania. The latter falls under the ownership of Gaming Africa (T) Ltd, an entity that also manages physical betting establishments within the nation. Both online platforms exhibit a pronounced emphasis on football wagers, mirroring the betting inclinations of the local clientele.
## Eastern Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda
Tanzania belongs to a cluster of East African nations that have implemented regulations governing online gambling. This group encompasses Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.
One enterprise active in both Kenya and Uganda is Elite Bet, holding permits from the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) in Kenya and the National Lotteries Board in Uganda. This firm, with a pronounced focus on football wagers, has acclimated to the hurdles posed by limited internet access and payment complexities by concentrating on mobile-centric services. Patrons can place bets through SMS, while deposits are made using cash via M-Pesa, a mobile micro-financing platform.
Kenya tested the waters of legal internet gambling in 2011. They collaborated with Amaya Gaming Group to initiate a trial run. This gave rise to BetKenya.com, the country’s first authorized gaming platform, in October of that year. However, BetKenya’s moment in the spotlight was fleeting. By 2012, reaching the website became difficult, and the domain appeared to disappear without a trace. Amaya’s own documentation merely indicated that a concentration shift to more lucrative regions like North America, Europe, and the Caribbean was responsible for the decrease in African income.
Turning our attention to Nigeria, with a population surpassing 175 million, Nigeria’s internet wagering landscape is a vibrant center concentrated around Lagos State, a megacity of 21 million. Soccer and simulated betting are the primary sources of revenue for most providers in this region.
In Lagos, one cannot simply operate an online betting enterprise; a permit is required for both physical and digital gambling. This dual approach has proven highly successful, addressing a significant obstacle encountered by online gaming throughout Africa: payment handling. The presence of brick-and-mortar betting establishments offers a straightforward method for online patrons to deposit funds and claim their earnings. One pioneering provider, 1960Bet, even permits clients to assemble their betting slips online, produce a distinct code, and then place their wagers by merely presenting this code at a physical location.
## The Ascent of Interactive Leisure Activities on the African Continent
The interactive entertainment sector in Africa is experiencing a surge in activity, propelled by a confluence of favorable circumstances. Enhanced political stability, societal advancements, and economic expansion are fostering an environment conducive to business prosperity. The widespread embrace of mobile devices and the emergence of mobile payment platforms further contribute to this recipe for success.
Several key elements are propelling the sustained growth of this industry:
* **Tranquility and Harmony:** Commercial ventures are naturally drawn to areas characterized by political stability and social cohesion. Unrest, turmoil, or the looming threat of conflict act as significant deterrents to the influx of private investment.
* **Financial Well-being:** As national economies flourish and prosperity filters down to the populace, a larger segment of society joins the ranks of consumers with discretionary funds. This, in turn, creates opportunities for expenditures on non-essential products and services, encompassing entertainment and gaming. However, this transformation unfolds gradually, and presently, a significant portion of the newly generated wealth remains concentrated within a burgeoning African upper class.
* **A Youthful and Expanding Populace:** Africa’s demographic trends represent a substantial advantage for the interactive entertainment industry. A sizable, youthful population guarantees an inherent interest in gaming and leisure activities, further amplified by their enthusiastic adoption of the internet and mobile technologies.
* **Increasing Urbanization:** Closely intertwined with the burgeoning youth population is the swift pace of urbanization transpiring throughout Africa. As population density rises, connecting with vast numbers of prospective customers becomes more streamlined and economically viable.
Metropolitan areas, with dependable power grids, robust internet connectivity, and extensive mobile phone coverage, are a perfect match for the flourishing gaming sector in Africa.
Naturally, individuals across the continent are passionate about football, wagering, and lotteries. However, penetrating emerging markets is costly, requiring companies to conduct thorough investigations. As Daniel Kustelski, the CEO of SunBet, explains: “One must be ready to commit resources… Thorough research and due diligence are essential.” He observes that East Africa presents a more accessible starting point compared to West Africa due to the wider prevalence of English.
This perspective originates from Lorien Pilling, a specialist consultant located on the Isle of Man and the editorial head of the Global Gambling Report.
