The entertainment sector in Africa has been undergoing seismic shifts over the last couple of decades. Various new regulations and reforms have washed up the shores of entertainment in Africa lately.
The entertainment industry is gaining more structure, and the changes that one can find are quite refreshing. One such industry that we attempt to talk about in this article is the gambling industry.
From holding a conservative approach towards gambling to accepting the fresh changes, Africa has come a long way. This has led to the continent to emerge as one of the hotspots for this activity.
We shall try to examine the changes one can witness in Africa when it comes to gambling and also see what led it to become the next big gambling market of the world.
The Rise of Online Gambling in Africa:
One of the major reasons for a booming gambling market in Africa is the rise of online casinos. It must be noted here that gambling in Africa is considered to be an illegal activity.
However, several online casinos have been provided licenses by the authorities to function legally in Africa. Plus, there are also several countries in the continent that have legalized gambling.
Thus, as we can see, gambling in Africa is eventually being accepted and legalized. Thus, the two main reasons that we can attribute to Africa’s emergence as the next big gambling markets are-
That being said, let us now have a look at the other factors contributing to the said growth in Africa’s gambling market.
READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu releases special message for EndSARS protesters
Growth of Mobile Gaming, Mobile Payments and Mobile Multi-Channel Experience:
Over the years, Africa has seen a series of progress in mobile gaming and the overall technological sphere.
Mobile gaming has grown exponentially and has been raising substantial revenue for the African entertainment industry.
This has also been responsible for the growth of the igamingsector of Africa. The African population is now more exposed to the various facets of mobile technology and has gambling and betting apps at their disposal.
Also, the network structure and connectivity has improved dramatically over the years, which was initially a major issue.
Improvements in mobile technology and faster modes of payments using these hand-held devices have paved the way for the growth of the gambling market in Africa.
Sports Betting Apps are Taking the Youth by Storm:
Another incredibly essential point that we need to discuss while examining the factors that led to the growth of the gambling market in Africa is the easy availability of betting apps.
As we mentioned earlier, the people of Africa are now more well-versed with the various facets of technology, including mobiles.
They have a myriad of apps at their disposal and the blessing of super-fast internet. Almost every individual has a mobile phone on them.
Teenagers and young adults, besides browsing through social media, can now access betting apps easily. These apps have filled in the blanks for sites like https://www.usgamblingsites.com that might still be out of reach for the African youth.
A recent survey reported that 54 per cent of those between 17 to 35 years indulge in sports betting. Kenya has the highest participation in this regard, with the figure reaching 74 per cent.
READ ALSO: Falana reveals why protesters refuse to leave the streets despite scrapping of SARS
Therefore, as we can see, mobile betting apps have served as another factor for the growth in Africa’s gambling market.
However, it is not just the availability of the apps that have resulted in an increased market for sports betting. Africa, as we mentioned a few times before, now has access to smartphones and super-fast internet.
Therefore, these factors, coupled with the availability of apps, have led to the overall growth for the market of gambling and betting.
Though this sudden rise in betting and gambling also has ills of their own, the African economy has grown exponentially.
Therefore, one must look at both sides of the coin before passing a judgment. For a continent that has suffered from economic and technological crises since centuries, this new growth is a welcome relief.
Wrapping Up:
As can be inferred from the discussion that ensued, Africa has evolved in terms of technology and economy, and how! The fresh changes brought into the gambling sector of the continent have pushed only enhanced the continent’s overall economy.
These changes have also transformed Africa as one of the many hotspots for gambling.
It is, therefore, safe to assert that if Africa continues to witness the such welcoming changes over the next years, it shall not take much time for it to emerge as the next big gambling market of the world.