Africa iGaming Industry Digest — May 2026
The African iGaming sector continues its rapid growth trajectory. Here's everything that happened in the industry this week.
Kenya: 3 New Licences Issued
The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) issued three new sports betting operator licences this week, bringing the total licensed operators to 48. Two of the new entrants are Pan-African operators, and one is a homegrown Nairobi-based startup specialising in mobile-first betting experiences.
This expansion aligns with Kenya's 7.5% excise tax framework introduced last year, which has created a regulated, competitive market attracting significant foreign investment.
Nigeria: NLRC Q2 Compliance Audit
The National Lottery Regulatory Commission has begun its Q2 compliance sweep. Operators with outstanding Know Your Customer (KYC) gaps have been issued 30-day notices. The NLRC's crackdown on underage gambling verification continues to intensify — operators must demonstrate robust age-verification systems by July 1st.
Impact for bettors: Expect temporary withdrawal delays at some smaller operators while they process KYC documentation. Major operators like Bet9ja, BetKing, and Sportybet remain fully compliant.
South Africa: Responsible Gambling Rules Tightened
The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board has announced stricter responsible gambling mandates effective from June 1st. These include:
- Mandatory self-exclusion register integration across all licensees
- Deposit limit prompts at every R5,000 threshold
- Enhanced addiction support signposting on all landing pages
Hollywoodbets and Supabets have both confirmed they are ahead of compliance deadlines.
Market Trends: Mobile Betting Dominates
New data from the Africa Gaming Index shows mobile betting now accounts for 87% of all sports wagers placed on the continent. M-Pesa and MTN MoMo remain the dominant payment rails. Instant withdrawal is now the single biggest driver of bookmaker switching behaviour among African bettors.
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