The gaming industry is really on the rise in Africa, especially when it comes to the betting side of it. Likewise, sports betting is really gathering some momentum on the continent, especially in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. Even though there are some challenges when it comes to the growth of the industry, due to the regulations and technological constraints, the business is really looking up.
According to one survey, sports betting in Africa was estimated to be worth at least $37 billion (2018), and there is a continuous growth of betting with more enthusiasts and punters enjoying a wide array of options. If you are a similar enthusiast and would like to jump on the sports betting trend in Africa, then you should know a thing or two about how to do it, where to do it, and how to win more.
Betting Laws in African Countries
Just like on any other continent, in Africa, too, there are some liberal nations that encourage gambling and online betting, and there are those which are more restrictive and try to heavily regulate or prohibit gambling. This means that before you even think about placing a bet online, you should read the laws and regulations for your specific country.
What is good to know is that Ghana, for example, has very relaxed gambling laws, and that sports betting and other forms of online gambling are not an issue and are encouraged. Also, Kenya used to be an online monopoly, but once BetKenya closed and left no domestic firms behind, punters have been freely exploring other options in the rest of Africa, Europe and other parts of the world. On the other hand, laws and legislation in Nigeria are a bit confusing, but a huge appetite for online gambling is present, and there are many operators to choose from.
How to Choose a Sports Betting Site
Since there are hundreds of online betting sites available, you should be careful when choosing the one for yourself. There are lots of factors to consider when choosing where to create an account. Of course, you can choose several bookmakers to open your accounts, but you still should do your research beforehand.
What do they offer?
When choosing your sports betting site, consider their offers. Research which sports they have for placing a bet, for example. If you want to bet on football, look for bookmakers that offer a wide selection of games, teams, leagues, etc.
Also, look into their promos and bonuses, too. Most sports betting sites will offer some amazing bonuses and promotions to attract new customers, but make sure to read the fine print before you indulge in using those benefits. You can also read the reviews of other people’s experiences with the website you would like to choose, or look for sites that provide a detailed insight into all the necessary information. For example, BetFromAfrica offers you a nice overview of betting on sports and playing online casino games at bet365. On sites like these, you can get familiar with the bonuses, odds, game and sports selection, among other things.
Look for their licensing and regulations
When choosing an online betting site, you definitely want to observe the rule of law and the established regulations, so make sure you check the website’s licensing. If you don’t have a chance to bet on an African site, you can always turn to Europe, since those operators gladly accept African bettors.
When researching websites, look for licenses regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority or similar regulators. On the other hand, within Africa, the quality and reputability of bookmakers range from high to low, so make sure you do thorough research on the information they provide about their licenses, and never forget to look for testimonials and reviews from other players.
Payments and availability
This is a crucial factor to consider because you can’t place a bet or cash out your winnings if they don’t accept your currency or payment option. Most sports betting sites will accept the traditional credit/debit card options and bank transfers. However, if that doesn’t suit you, you can always look for those that offer PayPal, Skrill and similar online payment options. Just make sure to figure out if those are properly encrypted so that you can protect your personal information.
Also, availability is a big factor, too. Not everyone enjoys betting from home only, so look into sites that offer mobile app versions for their bookmakers so that you can bet on the go. Most reputable sports betting sites will have their own mobile version so they will make their service available to everyone.
Final Word
The biggest factor to consider when choosing your betting place and platform is staying safe. That is why it is always advisable to check the sites thoroughly before you make an account or deposit payments.
You can go even deeper and look through their Facebook and other social media pages, to see how people react to them. Basically, everything from sports odds to customer service will let you in on how legit and serious a betting site is, and if you should trust them. Everything matters, so be detail-oriented and persistent in your research.
