The African population is well over 1.3 billion, and a huge portion of its population is active gamblers. In other words, sports betting is a regular pastime for many Africans. Many bettors visit platforms like Paripesa Africa because of its massive bonuses, and wide sports coverage and betting market. However, critics believe the surge in bettors in Africa is underpinned by widespread poverty, unemployment, and poor or non-existent regulation. To learn if this is true or not, keep reading this article as we elaborate on why sports betting is becoming a part of everyday life in Africa.
Evolution of gambling in Africa
Gambling is not new in Africa, but recent years have seen an exponential surge in its popularity. In ancient Egypt, dice were a popular form of gambling, and horse racing was a common practice in most parts of Africa. But sports betting and virtual bets are the most prevalent form of gambling in Africa today.
In this 54-nation continent, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ghana are leading the industry featuring prominent bookmarkers running physical sportsbooks and online gambling options. Generally, betting in Africa has passed through many cycles with several legal challenges to become what it is today.
Why Are More Africans Betting on Sports?
Sports betting is all about wagering on the outcome of a sports event. Today, this form of gambling has become a part of everyday life in Africa. The surge in sports betting in Africa is a result of several factors and in this section, we will analyze those factors.
The Role of Culture and Society
One of the factors contributing to the widespread of sports betting in Africa apart from being a form of pleasure is that it brings communities together. Sports has become a major source of identity and pride for a lot of African people as Africa has given birth to several big names in sports such as:
- Jay Jay Okocha
- Ons Jabeur
- Jacques Kallis
- George Weah, amongst others
Moreover, gambling has been a part of the traditional social activities in many African cultures, which has influenced how people perceive sports betting.
Economic and financial factors
With the number of unemployed youths in Africa on the rise, sports betting has become a viable source of income for them. Moreover, many operators are taking advantage of this by setting up shops in Africa with massive bonuses to lure players in. This trend has directly and indirectly resulted in a positive impact on the local economies.
Regulatory and legal factors
The government in Africa is largely responsible for the flourishing sports betting industry. In over 16 countries in Africa legalizing and regulating the shadows, they have managed to bring it out of the shadows and into the mainstream. This move has instilled trust in the industry and created a secure and safe environment for players to wager on their favorite sports.
Conclusion
The reason sports betting has become a part of everyday life in Africa can be attributed to several factors as explained in this article. Moreover, the industry is projected to expand even further, but bettors need to be careful of bookmarkers cheating and fraudulent activities.
