REPORT: Betting in Africa 2025

Betting has rapidly emerged as a significant cultural and economic phenomenon across Africa, propelled by the continent’s youthful demographic, expanding internet and smartphone access, and the widespread enthusiasm for sports, particularly football. In alignment with our ongoing commitment to provide timely, data-driven insights into social and consumer trends, GeoPoll has conducted a follow-up study examining betting behaviors in key African markets.

This new survey builds upon our 2024 report, which investigated the betting habits of youth in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. The 2025 edition revisits these same countries, employing the same methodology to facilitate direct comparison of findings, highlighting shifts in attitudes, participation rates, motivations, and spending patterns over the past year.

In addition to tracking year-on-year trends, the updated study incorporates new demographic insights, thereby offering a more nuanced understanding of the ongoing evolution of betting across the region. As policymakers, industry stakeholders, and communities address the increasing influence of gambling, GeoPoll’s data serves as a reliable and real-time reflection of African perspectives on this significant issue.

Employment status of the respondents

The survey, conducted among a randomized sample of respondents across six African countries, highlights a varied employment landscape. 38% of participants reported being formally employed, while 23% identified as self-employed or entrepreneurs. Additionally, 20% of respondents stated they were currently unemployed, and 18% were students. A small proportion, 1%, indicated that they were unable to work.

Trends in Betting Participation Across Countries

Over the past three years, betting participation across African countries has shown dynamic shifts. In 2022, Kenya led the continent with 83.9% of respondents reporting they had tried gambling or betting, followed by Nigeria at 78% and South Africa at 74%. The 2024 study reaffirmed Kenya’s lead, with 82.8% of respondents indicating they had placed a bet, while South Africa (73.9%), Ghana (73%), Uganda (71.4%), Tanzania (71.1%), and Nigeria (65.3%) followed closely behind.

However, the 2025 results reveal a significant shift in regional betting trends. South Africa now leads the rankings, with an impressive 83% of respondents reporting they had placed bets. Kenya, which had consistently held the top spot in previous years, has fallen to second place with 79%. Tanzania follows with 74%, closely trailed by Nigeria at 73%, Uganda at 72%, and Ghana at 71%.

Gambling frequency

Among those who reported having ever placed a bet, we explored how frequently they engage in gambling activities. In the 2024 survey, 32% of respondents indicated they bet approximately once a week. Additionally, 20.8% placed bets once a month, 17.8% bet at least once a day, and 15.6% reported betting more than once a day.

The 2025 findings show a slight increase in weekly betting, with 29% of respondents now gambling once a week. 22% reported betting once a month, while 20% do so less than once a month. Daily betting has seen a modest decline, with 15% betting once a day and 16% placing bets more than once a day.

Mobile betting

Mobile phones have firmly established themselves as the preferred platform for betting across Africa. According to the 2025 survey, an overwhelming 94% of respondents who participate in gambling reported that they place their bets using a mobile phone. This highlights the critical role that mobile technology continues to play in shaping betting behaviors on the continent.

The dominance of mobile betting can be attributed to several factors: the widespread penetration of smartphones, the affordability of mobile data in many African countries, and the convenience of betting apps and mobile-optimized platforms. With mobile devices offering easy access to betting services anytime and anywhere, they have effectively transformed gambling into an on-the-go activity—especially appealing to the continent’s predominantly young, tech-savvy population.

Football Betting Remains King, Aviator Rises

Football remains the most popular form of betting in Africa, with 60% of respondents in the 2025 survey stating they mainly bet on football matches—continuing the trend observed in 2024. Aviator, a fast-paced digital game, has quickly risen in popularity, with 24% choosing it as their primary betting option. Casino came next with 8% of the participants place bets on casinos. Basketball follows distantly, preferred by 4% of respondents. These findings highlight football’s enduring appeal, while also pointing to a growing interest in alternative, high-speed betting formats like Aviator.

Average monthly spend 

• Ghana: Spending patterns show variety. 43% reported spending less than $10 monthly. 38% spend between $10 and $25. Smaller groups spend more: 9% between $25 and $50, 7% between  $50 and $100, 4% between $100 and $500, and 1% reported spending over $500. This indicates common small-stake betting alongside a segment of high-stakes bettors.
• Kenya: The majority (58%) reported spending less than $10 per month. Higher spending brackets included: 23% between $10 and $25, 7% between $25 and $50, 6% between $50 and $100, 5% between $100 and $500, and 3% spending over $500 monthly. This reflects predominant low-stake gambling but also a small group of high-stakes bettors.
• Nigeria: In 2025, almost half of the respondents (49%) spend les that $10, another 24% spend between $10 and $25. 10% of those who bet spend between $25 and $50, followed closely by 8% who spend between $50 and $100. 7% reportedly spend above $500 and a smaller 5% spending between $100 and $500.
• South Africa: 48% reported spending spend between $10 and $25 and another 33% spend less than $10 per month. Higher spending includes 10% between $25 and $50, and another 4% between $50 and $100. 5% of those surveyed spend between $100 and $500, and a smaller 2% spend above $500. This shows most bettors are in low-to-mid spending ranges, with a smaller segment betting higher stakes.
• Tanzania: The vast majority (79%) reported spending less than $10 per month. In stark contrast, a notable 8% spend between $10 and $25. Smaller groups spend more: 6% between $25 and $50, 3% reported spending over $500. 2% between  $50 and $100, 1% between $100 and $500. This indicates common small-stake betting alongside a segment of high-stakes bettors.
• Uganda: Almost a similar trend to that of Kenya, more than half (51%) reported spending less than $10 per month. Higher spending brackets included: 36% between $10 and $25, 5% between $25 and $50, notably; 5% spend over $500 monthly. We also see that 2% spend between $50 and $100,  and a smaller group 1% between $100 and $500, and . This reflects predominant low-stake gambling but also a small group of high-stakes bettors.

About this survey 

This GeoPoll rapid survey was conducted in April 2025 among 4,191 youth in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda using the GeoPoll mobile app. The sample was not fully demographically representative and naturally skewed towards younger people in urban areas. The sample comprised 68% males and 32% females. Age groups were distributed as follows: 18-24 (30%), 25-34 (50%), and over 35 (20%).

To conduct a scientific study on gambling or other topics in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, please contact GeoPoll.