"Salaried Africans Drawn to Football and Fast-Paced Games, But Betting Risks Persist"

" Salaried Africans Drawn to Football and Fast-Paced Games, But Betting Risks Persist \r\n\r\n Tech, modest stakes, and regulatory changes are spurring a betting bonanza in South Africa, Uganda, and Kenya, with wagers increasingly favouring fast-paced games like Aviator over soccer as experts sound the alarm on rising risks. \r\n\r\n Seth Onyango, bird story agency\u00a0 \r\n\r\nFootball and quick-play games like Aviator are capturing the attention of working Africans, changing the industry\u2019s core user base and driving up mobile betting activity across the continent.\r\n\r\nThis, however, comes amid growing concern over the serious risks of betting addiction and financial ruin.\r\n\r\nA 2024 industry review from Play The Game, an initiative by the Danish Institute for Sports Studies revealed that \u201cbetting has become a growing problem among young populations in Africa, leading to addiction, financial ruin, and even suicide in extreme cases.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe institute further notes that aggressive marketing tactics by betting companies, coupled with the accessibility of mobile platforms, have exacerbated these issues.\r\n\r\nNew York-based cultural and policy institution, The Africa Center, also cautioned that if gambling-related disorders in Africa continue to grow unchecked, would lead to \"financial difficulties, crime, and mental health problems.\u201d\r\n\r\nSuch cases have prompted regulatory interventions, including the previous ban on betting firm SportPesa in Kenya, as authorities work to curb predatory betting while safeguarding the industry.\r\n\r\nThere are also concerns about addiction-induced behaviours which may lead to heavy reliance on drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism when wagers lose, even as betting gains traction among salaried Africans.\r\n\r\nGeoPoll\u2019s just-released report shows that 38% of bettors hold formal employment while 29% are self-employed or entrepreneurs.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nContrary to notions that betting is driven by unemployed individuals, the study finds that only 18% are jobless, while students constitute 14%, reflecting betting\u2019s diverse and widespread appeal in Africa.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, South Africa now leads the continent in betting participation, with 90% of respondents reporting they placed bets in 2025, a sharp rise from 74% in 2022.\r\n\r\nUganda follows at 87%, up from 71.4% in 2024, while Kenya, once the undisputed leader at 83.9% in 2022, now ranks third at 79%.\r\n\r\nNigeria and Ghana, meanwhile, have seen participation dip to 71% and 56%, respectively, amid tighter regulations and shifting consumer priorities.\r\n\r\nWhile football remains the continent\u2019s betting mainstay, favoured by 61% of bettors, the GeoPoll report shows Aviator, a fast-paced online game based on timing and quick payouts, has gained a significant foothold, now used by 19% of respondents as their primary form of betting. The trend is concentrated among under-35s.\r\n\r\n\u201cThese findings highlight football\u2019s enduring appeal, while also pointing to a growing interest in alternative, high-speed betting formats like Aviator,\u201d the report noted. Basketball lags at 6%, reflecting football\u2019s cultural dominance despite the rise of niche alternatives.\r\n\r\nThe game\u2019s format is designed for mobile users, making it especially popular among younger demographics familiar with short-form content and instant interaction.\r\n\r\nA separate report by \u00a0SagaCube, Africa\u2019s largest consumption tracking platform\u00a0shows most gamblers are young \u2014 74% are aged between 18 and 35 \u2014 highlighting the strong presence of young adults in the gambling landscape.\r\n\r\nSpending data shows that most bettors are cautious with how much they wager. In Kenya, 57% of users spend less than $10 monthly on betting.\r\n\r\nSouth Africa reports similar numbers, with 45% in the same spending range and another 33% between US$10 and US$25. Uganda sits in the middle, with 46% falling into the US$10\u2013US$25 category.\r\n\r\nThough a smaller share of bettors spends above US$50 monthly, this group remains a minority across all countries surveyed.\r\n\r\nAcross Africa, smartphones drive 91% of bets, enabled by affordable data and app-based convenience.\r\n\r\nIn Tanzania, 93% of bettors spend under US$50 monthly, yet a striking 7% spend over US$500 monthly, a disparity mirroring broader economic divides.\r\n\r\nKenya and Ghana show parallel contrasts \u2013\u2013 while most stake modest sums, a minority splurges heavily, illustrating the sector\u2019s dual role as both pastime and high-risk venture.\r\n\r\nThe boom raises questions about sustainability. Though GeoPoll\u2019s sample skewed urban and male (65%), its findings hint at broader risks, such as students gambling with school fees \u2014 a practice financial advisors caution against. \u201cResponsible gambling tools are critical as markets mature,\u201d said Tech analyst Martin Macharia.\r\n\r\n bird story agency\u00a0 \r\n\r\n "

"Salaried Africans Drawn to Football and Fast-Paced Games, But Betting Risks Persist"

Multichoice Rebuffs Minister’s Claim On DSTV Price Cuts, Cites Market ConditionsAMP

MTN Nigeria Now the Most Capitalized Stock in NigeriaAMP

Nigerian Stock Market Creates Largest Pool of Billion-Dollar Stocks in 2025AMP

OPEC+ Nears Decision Point on Next Oil Output HikeAMP

Europe’s Energy Future Hinges on Global PowersAMP

US Companies Cut Investments in China to Record Lows, Here’s WhyAMP

How AI is Rewriting and Enhancing Water Risk ManagementAMP

SheFarms Broiler Edition Kicks Off in Greater AccraAMP

PharmAccess Ghana, Healthcare Federation of Ghana sign SafeCare License Agreement; to use Newest ISQua-Certified Version 5AMP

Multichoice Rebuffs Minister’s Claim On DSTV Price Cuts, Cites Market ConditionsAMP

MTN Nigeria Now the Most Capitalized Stock in NigeriaAMP

Nigerian Stock Market Creates Largest Pool of Billion-Dollar Stocks in 2025AMP

OPEC+ Nears Decision Point on Next Oil Output HikeAMP

Europe’s Energy Future Hinges on Global PowersAMP