These days, the world of betting is bigger and better than it ever has been before. Betting operators are constantly on the lookout to develop their products in ways that will ensure their users are satisfied beyond measure, which is certainly paying off, especially across Africa.
Africa can be thought of as world betting’s new and exciting prospect. Many operators have turned their attention to the sprawling continent, as it holds so much promise from a betting perspective.
Historically, it has been European countries that have received the most attention from online betting operators, as nations like Italy, Sweden, Germany and the UK each have rich betting cultures that have come to shoulder the sporting events that are so widely supported.
With rich betting cultures often come clear and easy to follow regulations that are well laid out for operators to act upon. This is part of the reason European countries have been at the forefront of the iGaming revolution.
While many big name betting operators have now turned their attention to Africa, it is important to note that there have been plenty of influential betting sites that have come from the continent, each offering their own unique products to their local markets.
For example, SportPesa in Kenya, Bet9ja in Nigeria, and Hollywoodbets in South Africa each offer their respective markets a betting suite that is targeted to meeting the needs of locals from a betting perspective, something that outside international operators can only achieve in a limited capacity.
While the rise of operators is one of the reasons that can be used to explain the betting boom in Africa, certain features of the continent itself makes it an absolute prime destination for those looking to make a couple of wagers.
For one, based on census data, inhabitants of Africa have an average age of 19.7. While potentially surprising information, it points directly to the fact that betting has seen a considerable upturn throughout the continent.
Younger people are simply more likely to engage in risk taking behaviour, such as betting. The risk in betting is what makes it so thrilling, and why it is often younger people, between the ages of 18 and 30 who generally engage more in the practice.
What’s more is that younger people are more influenced by sporting heroes than older generations. Generally, sportsmen have the ability to almost cast spells on younger people, as youth tend to idolise these sporting stars. This develops a vested interest in the sport, which paves the way for wager making.
Another factor that can be linked to Africa’s subsequent betting boom is the fact that mobile smartphones have managed to penetrate the market. Nowadays, betting online does not require laptops or other elaborate devices, but rather only requires a smartphone and an internet connection.
What’s clear is that betting in Africa presents an incredibly exciting prospect for everyone from operators, affiliates, and all those involved in the iGaming industry. We have only seen the tip of the iceberg, as more and more nations begin to emerge as giants of the industry.
