Africa has experienced a shift when it comes to approaching sports betting as more than just a mere form of entertainment. Experts believe that the ever growing football fanbase is the key driver behind this change of attitude.

The gaming industry continues to reach new heights in the continent, and with the advent of online gaming, the numbers of punters increase daily. With the impact of the COVID-19 on several sectors in different countries not excluding the gaming industry, it is becoming more apparent that sports betting may become a full-time occupation for the average gamer, as opposed to the occasional betting activities that used to be carried out. 

Las Vegas and the USA, have taken gaming to another level, turning it to a full-time career. However, most African authorities are against this initiative, abhorring the practice, as ZNEWS argue:

despite people win money at casinos, it should not be considered a source of daily income, but just some form of entertainment.

Fears have also been expressed that several people who have tried to convert their gambling activities into a full-time job, become addicted and do not engage in other economic activities. Also, speculations have been made that educational measures have to be set in place to enlighten the community about betting. 

In Tanzania, gambling continues to grow in the industry, currently contributing a 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product.  

Chairman Jimmy Kenneth of TSBA says:

gambling is a fast-growing industry which currently contributes to 3.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Products (GDB) with a possibility of rising to it can also increase up to 5 per cent if the business environment is improved.

Research has shown that a contributing factor to this is the increase in the number of football fans. There are over 20,000 under direct employment in the industry, and interviews carried out in several casinos have shown that customers have more attraction to sports betting. 

He continued:

Betting sector is current growing rapidly due to increasingly the users of mobile money service and the internet penetration which attracts many of people with thousands getting employed and the government collects taxes,

Different view centres continue to spring up in metropolitan parts of several countries, enabling people to watch their favourite football clubs play while placing bets on live sport sites. These centres have boosted recreational activities and made football more entertaining for die-hard fans. 

About SiGMA Europe: