Kenya Slips to 3rd, South Africa Leads in Gambling.

Kenya has relinquished its position as Africa’s top betting nation, according to GeoPoll’s 2025 “Betting in Africa” report. Conducted among 4,191 youth across six Sub-Saharan African countries, the survey showcases a significant reshuffling of the region’s gambling hierarchy. Here’s a breakdown by country, with shifts in ranking:

1. South Africa: South Africa has seen a surge in gambling participation, with 90% of surveyed youth reporting they place bets. This marks a rise from third place in 2022 (74%) and indicates growing acceptance of betting as a popular activity.
2. Uganda: Now in second place, 87% of Ugandan respondents reported gambling activities, reflecting an impressive climb in regional influence.
3. Kenya: Once the leader, Kenya slipped to third place with 79% betting participation in 2025, down from 83.9% in 2022 and 82.8% in 2024. Despite the decline, weekly betting rates have increased to 35%, while daily gambling has seen a slight decline.
4. Nigeria: With a reported 71% betting participation, Nigeria remains a steady player in the industry. The country’s presence in the middle ranks reflects its consistent engagement with gambling activities.
5. Ghana and Tanzania (tie): Both nations trail with 56% participation rates, indicating a relatively lower engagement compared to their regional counterparts.

Mobile Technology Shapes Betting Trends

The report highlights mobile technology as a game-changer for Africa’s betting landscape. Across all countries, 91% of respondents gamble via mobile devices. Kenya remains a pioneer in mobile connectivity, boasting 72 million mobile device connections and a penetration rate of 139.8%. With 80.5% smartphone usage and 97% broadband coverage, the nation sets a benchmark for ACC

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Football Retains Dominance, Crash Games Gain Ground

Football betting remains the preferred choice for 61% of respondents, but crash games like Aviator are rapidly gaining traction, appealing to a growing segment of tech-savvy youth.

Kenyan Bettors now spend less Per Month

In Kenya, the majority of bettors reported modest monthly spending. About 57% spent less than $10 (KSh1,296) per month. Spending patterns among other participants showed:

• 28% spent between $10 and $25 (KSh3,241);
• 3% between $25 and $50 (KSh6,482);
• 6% between $50 and $100 (KSh12,965);
• 3% spent between $100 and $500, while another 3% reported monthly gambling expenditures of over $500 (KSh64,825).

The report comes amid ongoing calls for stricter gambling regulations in Kenya. On Sunday, Jane Makau, Chairperson of the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), reiterated their commitment to tightening regulations through enhanced consumer protection measures and stricter licensing conditions as outlined in the Gambling Control Bill, 2023.

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