One of the defining characteristics of Africa’s iGaming industry is its uneven development. Target audience interests and the effectiveness of online entertainment regulation vary significantly from country to country. Despite the lack of consolidation within the market, industry experts’ recent survey, conducted as part of the 1xBet Global Player Safety Reports, indicates positive trends. 68%
One of the defining characteristics of Africa’s iGaming industry is its uneven development. Target audience interests and the effectiveness of online entertainment regulation vary significantly from country to country. Despite the lack of consolidation within the market, industry experts’ recent survey, conducted as part of the 1xBet Global Player Safety Reports, indicates positive trends. 68% of respondents rated the performance of local regulatory authorities at 5-8 out of 10. This is the essence of two-tier progression; betting markets across Africa are progressing, but each country is moving forward at its own pace.
Which countries are driving iGaming development in Africa?
Nigeria and Kenya have emerged as benchmarks for the continent by successfully introducing transparent mechanisms for betting market regulation. These reforms have strengthened user trust in online entertainment providers and increased the prominence of responsible gambling.
Nigeria achieved positive results by decentralizing regulation. The country’s Supreme Court transferred authority to individual states, allowing them to license iGaming operators and subsequently control their activities. In practice, this approach has eliminated bureaucracy, making player safety a key priority rather than simply an addition to the online entertainment licensing process.
The decentralized model has helped the regulatory system adapt to periods of turbulence by introducing clear rules on data privacy and protection, advertising of iGaming providers’ services, and responsible gambling.
Kenya’s positive experience is based on a consistent reboot of the online entertainment regulatory system. In particular, the Gambling Control Act of 2025 was adopted, effectively creating a new infrastructure for effective iGaming regulation. For example, all operator marketing materials are reviewed by specialized commissions before publication. Providers are also required to equip players with the necessary self-exclusion tools. All these measures help combat problem gambling more effectively and strengthen trust in the industry.
DR Congo, Benin, Cameroon, and Zambia in search of effective solutions: Analysis of emerging markets
Countries where iGaming providers operate under guidelines and voluntary standards, rather than strict restrictions and bans, are moving in second gear. For example, DR Congo currently has almost no infrastructure for market regulation, except for certain KYC procedures. However, there is a plan to introduce transparent mechanisms for overseeing the online entertainment market. A corresponding bill was submitted to Parliament in December 2025, and its consideration is still ongoing.
Zambia is another example of a country struggling to catch up with the leaders in effective iGaming regulation in Africa. The current regulatory framework was formed at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, so there is a clear understanding that it is significantly outdated. The Zambian government has already announced the start of work on a new act that will establish clear rules for all participants in the online entertainment industry.
Cameroon is considered a country with stable regulations. However, the list of mandatory measures remains too limited, and compliance with most best practices is not compulsory but rather a voluntary initiative of operators.
In Benin, there is a significant gap between the regulations on paper and the market reality. This has led to a substantial growth in the illegal online entertainment sector. Over 25-30% of the betting market’s revenue in Benin is generated by unlicensed operators. As a result, the country has only three legal providers and a national lottery.
Main reasons for the two-tier progression in the African betting market
The uneven effectiveness of iGaming regulation is driven by the following factors.
- Lack of uniform standards: According to 1xBet’s own research conducted as a part of the Global Player Safety Reports series, 56% of industry experts consider regulatory policies to be consistent. These respondents are primarily from Kenya and Nigeria, indicating that emerging markets recognize the problem. The lack of clear rules and transparent mechanisms remains a barrier for both operators and players.
- Culture and economics: for a significant portion of the target audience, betting is not entertainment but a means of social advancement. This trend even impacts protection tools. For example, almost 30% of African operators provide individual self-exclusion recommendations in real time to players with large winnings. As a result, manual control is virtually the only method of risk mitigation. Additionally, research by 1xBet as part of the Global Player Safety Reports shows that 23% of industry experts believe that the cultural perception of betting in Africa hampers the implementation of best regulatory practices in this sector.
- A race to the bottom: in countries with a high share of illegal activity, pressure on licensed operators is increasing. If they strictly adhere to KYC requirements, limits, self-exclusion, and communication standards, some of their clients simply switch to “gray” companies. The most striking example is Benin, where almost a third of revenue is captured by illegal providers. According to an analytical study by 1xBet as part of the Global Player Safety Reports, around 66 iGaming platforms operate in Benin, while only three operators are officially licensed.
Even in the absence of a unified legal system, the gambling regulation in Africa is steadily improving. For example, almost 75% of operators comply with KYC, which is comparable to the Western European market. 68% of providers adhere to advertising restrictions, and 50% have introduced bonus limits. Therefore, the overall trend is clearly positive.
Innovative technologies and a responsible gambling culture are key accelerators of progress
African operators do not use AI for player tracking, while 30% of iGaming platforms in Western Europe have already implemented this approach. Artificial intelligence can quickly identify risk patterns and address situations before they become irreversible. Greater integration of modern technologies will enhance trust in betting and improve the effectiveness of regulation in the African market.
Regarding the gap between Nigeria, Kenya, and developing markets, comprehensive solutions are essential to close it. Clear and transparent regulations, stronger education, communication with players, and the adoption of successful practices from market leaders are key steps toward creating a unified security standard that will make the African market as secure and attractive as possible for both users and operators.
The 1xPartners affiliate program can play a key role in this process by providing effective monitoring and educational tools. These initiatives will make the African betting market more transparent and secure for all participants.