Sports
Online Betting in Africa 2026: How the World Cup, Mobile Money and Platforms Like Secretbet Drive a $3 Billion Boom
Africa’s betting numbers were large by 2025, with sports betting getting to $3.08bn, with the total gambling revenue estimated at roughly $17.63bn, according to Statista-based market data, with more than 440M Africans being linked to sports betting in 2025. The market is now driven by mobile betting, mobile money and live football, with the 2026 World Cup expected to increase match-day betting volumes.
Secretbet is among the platforms operating in different African markets. It sits in the middle of Africa’s phone-first betting habit.
How big is Africa’s online betting market in 2026?
The African online betting market size is already above $3bn for sports betting, and sports betting in Africa 2026 is being driven by football, mobile payments and live betting.
– In 2025, Africa’s sports-betting revenue stood at about $3.08bn, based on Statista market data.
– The continent’s full gambling sector was estimated at about $17.63bn in 2025, with growth projected at roughly 4.23% per year through 2029.
– allAfrica put the number of Africans linked to sports betting at more than 440M in 2025.
– GeoPoll’s 2025 survey shows about 91% of bettors placed bets through mobile phones.
– Other forecasts put online betting growth by 17% yearly between 2022 and 2027.
The numbers show how much betting has moved beyond physical betting shops. Most users now meet betting through a phone screen, especially during football fixtures, live matches and major tournaments. Live betting is also changing how people follow matches. Football keeps the activity moving every week. Domestic leagues, European competitions, AFCON fixtures and the 2026 World Cup all create regular betting moments for African users.
Which African countries are leading the betting boom?
Sports betting in Tanzania, betting in Ghana, online betting in Zambia and betting in Nigeria are among the strongest market topics because they combine football demand with mobile-first access. Each market has its own structure, but the pattern is similar: football creates demand, while mobile payments make betting easier to access.
| Country | Top Sport | Main payment method | Quick fact |
| Nigeria | Football (70–75% of betting activity) | OPay / bank transfer / Palmpay | Online sport betting revenue was projected around $500M in 2025, and Nigeria’s wider iGaming market was estimated around $3.6B. |
| Tanzania | Football (63%) | M-pesa / Tigo pesa | Online sports betting was projected around $9.8M in 2025, with football taking the largest share of betting activity. |
| Ghana | Football (60%+) | MTN MoMo / Telecel Cash / AirtelTigo Money | Ghana’s online gambling gross win reached about $903.5M in 2025, after growing 24% year-on-year. |
| Zambia | Football (60%+) | MTN Money / Airtel Money / bank cards | Online betting Zambia continued to grow in 2025, driven by football, mobile access and licensed betting operators. |
| Egypt/ Morocco | Football (60%+) | Vodafone Cash / bank transfer | North African online betting activity remained football-led in 2025, with Egypt and Morocco shaped by local payment access and stricter market rules. |
Why is mobile money the engine of African betting?
Mobile money betting made online betting possible for users who do not rely on bank cards. M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money, Vodafone Cash and OPay are now central to betting deposits in Africa, especially as more than 91% of bettors place bets through mobile phones. This matters because many users already trust mobile wallets for daily payments. Mobile money also supports low-stake betting behaviour.
For operators, the payment flow is as important as the odds. A slow deposit process can stop a user before the betslip is confirmed. In this market, convenience is not a side feature; it is one of the main reasons users stay.
What is Secretbet?
Secretbet is an online betting and casino platform for sports betting, live odds and casino games. It is available across several African markets, including Tanzania, Ghana, Zambia, Egypt and Morocco. Players can find pre-match and live football markets, including games from the EPL, AFCON and the World Cup.
The platform fits the wider African betting pattern: one mobile-first account for sports markets, live odds, casino sections and local payment methods. For football bettors, the use is direct.
How do platforms like Secretbet serve African bettors?
Secretbet features are built around mobile access, football coverage, World Cup betting and live betting Africa demand. Platforms in this category serve users who want quick deposits, clear odds, live markets, cash-out options and withdrawals from one phone-based account.
– Mobile-optimised site.
– Mobile-money deposits and withdrawals.
– Football coverage, including the 2026 World Cup and AFCON.
– Live/in-play betting and cash-out.
– Localized markets and decimal odds.
– Option to bet on the 2026 World Cup through the sports line section when markets are available.
Mobile access matters because betting now sits beside other phone habits. World Cup betting will make this behaviour more visible in 2026. Live betting in Africa demand is also tied to how fans read football.
Is online betting legal in these African markets?
Yes, however, betting regulations are not the same across Africa, but several major markets have legal betting frameworks. Tanzania falls under the Gaming Board of Tanzania, Ghana under the Gaming Commission of Ghana, and Zambia under the Betting Control and Licensing Board.
For users asking is betting legal in Tanzania, they have a regulated gaming structure that covers licensed betting activity.
For users asking if betting is legal in Ghana, betting is allowed under the country’s gaming framework. The Gaming Commission of Ghana oversees betting and gaming activity, and the market is restricted to adults.
For users asking if betting is legal in Zambia, betting is allowed under the country’s betting control framework. Operators must meet local licensing requirements before serving players legally.
Morocco uses state-controlled sports betting, then Egypt applies tighter controls around unlicensed online betting.
Players should only use betting services that are legally available in their country. Betting is for adults aged 18+ and should be treated as paid entertainment, not a source of income.
What’s next for African online betting? (2026 trends)
Betting trends in Africa in 2026 will be shaped by live football, mobile payments, esports, tighter regulation and the World Cup. Football will still lead the market, but more users are also moving between live betting, casino products and newer digital formats.
– AI-powered odds and trading tools.
– Live streaming and faster in-play markets.
– Esports betting and crash-style games.
– Crypto payment experiments in selected markets.
– Higher 2026 World Cup betting volumes.
– Morocco’s AFCON 2025 and 2030 World Cup momentum.
Frequently asked questions
- Is online betting legal in Africa?
Yes, in some African countries, however, the rules are not the same everywhere.
What is the most popular sport to bet on in Africa?
Football is the most popular sport to bet on in Africa.
- How do Africans deposit money to bet online?
Most bettors in Africa deposit money from their phones using mobile money. Deposit options differ from one African market to another. Options include : M-Pesa, MTN MoMo, Airtel Money, Tigo Pesa, Telecel Cash, Vodafone Cash, OPay – or just transfer directly from your bank.
- Which platforms offer betting in Tanzania, Ghana and Zambia?
Betting platforms in Tanzania, Ghana and Zambia include 1xBet, Fansport, Secretbet and Paripesa, among others.
18+, bet responsibly.
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