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.
Sports
How Innovation Is Reshaping the World of Online Slot Gaming
Digital entertainment has evolved rapidly over the past decade, and online casino gaming has become one of its fastest-growing sectors. As internet connectivity and mobile technology continue to improve, millions of people now enjoy casino games from the comfort of their homes. Among the wide selection of games available, online slots consistently rank as the most played because they offer quick entertainment, engaging visuals, and a wide range of playing experiences.
The success of online slots is largely driven by their flexibility. Whether someone has five minutes during a lunch break or an hour to relax in the evening, slot games provide instant entertainment without requiring lengthy tutorials or advanced gaming knowledge. This ease of access has helped attract players of all experience levels.
Game design has changed dramatically over the years. Developers no longer focus solely on spinning reels and matching symbols. Modern releases feature interactive storylines, animated characters, cinematic soundtracks, and creative bonus sequences that make each title feel more like a video game than a traditional casino machine. Themes range from ancient civilizations and mythical creatures to science fiction, sports, music, and seasonal events.
Another reason for the continued growth of online slots is the diversity of available games. Some players enjoy low-risk titles that provide frequent small wins, while others prefer high-volatility games that offer larger potential payouts. Features such as free spin rounds, random bonus events, symbol upgrades, multiplier combinations, and special reward levels create a unique experience every time a player launches a new game.
Mobile gaming has become one of the industry’s biggest drivers. Today’s casino platforms are designed to work seamlessly across smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. Players can switch between devices without losing progress, while secure payment systems and fast-loading games make playing more convenient than ever before.
Players also have access to more information than ever. Before choosing a slot many review factors such as RTP (Return to Player), volatility, maximum payout potential, bonus frequency, and betting limits. These details help users select games that align with their entertainment preferences and bankroll.
Technology continues to influence the industry’s future. Artificial intelligence improves personalized recommendations, while cloud technology allows games to load faster across multiple devices. Some operators are exploring blockchain solutions for additional transparency, and advancements in virtual reality may eventually create fully immersive digital casino environments.
Responsible gaming remains an important priority for reputable operators. Licensed platforms invest heavily in player protection by using encrypted payment systems, independently tested Random Number Generators (RNGs), account verification procedures, and responsible gaming tools such as deposit limits, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion options. These measures encourage a safer and more controlled gaming environment.
As competition between software studios increases, innovation continues to accelerate. New game mechanics, improved graphics, larger game libraries, and enhanced promotional features ensure that online slots remain fresh and appealing. With continuous technological advancement and growing global demand, online slot gaming is expected to remain a leading form of digital entertainment well into the future.
Sports
Ayekoo, Ghana Black Stars
By Shmuel Ja’Mba Abm
Looking at the statistics, it is obvious Ghana got an opportunity to brand itself on the international scene once again, and by performing its best in the match with England, which made the Black Stars the talk of town for a while that will take sometimes to fade.
In all, Ghana conceded fewer goals and scored just two goals in the entire tournament, leaving the scene thanking its stars. Related statistics on ball possession, shots at goals and on target, and the rest, which indicators are critical aggregates to assess the Ghana Black Stars, left the impression that the Black Stars proved on the pitch that it was a half team and not in full complement.
Ghana’s share in each match will marvel at the performance of the team, because it didn’t reflect in the results. In that case, it is obvious that the Black Stars went to the tournament as a half team. After all, it took the grace of Sudan for Ghana to be at the FIFA World Cup Tournament. We’ve come too far.
But wait a minute. Virtually every team that assembled at the tournament had at least one African player, with France leading the pack. What does this tell us?
Research findings by scientists have classified West Africans as having the build and genetics of the fastest 100-meter runners, and suitably with the form as dazzling football players. The same study concluded that marathon racing in East Africa. And these findings are supported by facts.
It is undisputed that the first professional African footballer came from the territory now called Ghana.
Arthur Wharton was born in Jamestown, Gold Coast, on October 28, 1865. Other African football amateurs include Robert Walker (Parkgrove, alongside Andrew Watson; and later in 1875-77 with 3rd Lanark RV – all in Scotland) from Queens Park, Scotland; and Andrew Watson, a Scottish international who signed for Bootle F. C. in 1887.
Arthur Wharton has been described as an all-round sportsman who also won the Amateur Athletics Association of England 100-yard sprint in 1886 with a record of 10 seconds. Also, he is said to have been a keen cyclist and a cricketer with latent potentials
The drift from all the above is to provide proof of available raw talent as a natural endowment, which, like other forms of endowment, nature has gifted Ghana that needs the kind of refinery and polishing in the pioneering works at the time Coach Sam Ardey and others took up, following the record shattering performance of the Ghana Black Starlets in Italy in 1991 by the German tactician, Otto Pfister.
Colts football development is the foundation and nursery of Ghana football. Recent establishments of academies across the country appeared to be heartwarming, but unfortunately, they are commercial investments in a vein of commercial interest and not one for national pride as Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah created the Black Stars to envision.
It only becomes coincidental if the two intersect. Whenever it became necessary for such players to be invited to play for the national team, records indicate that such acceptance is often one meant to improve the academy’s and the player’s curriculum vitae, in most cases.
How do we know this? Their performances at their various clubs, where they make the bucks, when compared to those playing for the Black Stars, reveal all.
And at the peak of this, players were bold enough to openly say this, which is captured on record. The point here is not to lay blame but to provide a clue through analysis for the Ghana Football Authority and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to live up to expectation to lift its image in the development of football in Ghana by taking advantage of the abundance of raw materials and availability of expertise to nurture from scratch the ideals and philosophy of nurseries that crystallised into colt football, divisions and leagues categorisation, gradings of Ghana Black Starlets, Ghana Meteors, and the Ghana Black Stars with the female Black Queens in that descending order as cited for the male side.
Thank God grounds are fertile and saturated for reorganisation after this tournament, given the credentials and expertise of what Coach Carlos Queiroz has demonstrated, and the character of confidence seemingly fitting in gel in the Ministry of Sports and Recreation-GFA relationship.
Good luck next time is not an option or the way forward.
Shmuel Ja’Mba Abm has extensive scholarly publications that establish him as a leading academic expert in regional geopolitical dynamics and diplomatic relations in Africa. Author of e-monographs on geopolitics, ethnic conflicts, and political philosophy.
Sports
Africa Down to Two: Morocco and Egypt Carry the Continent Into the World Cup Knockouts
At the start of this World Cup, ten African nations walked in with different ambitions, different styles, and different levels of expectation. Now only two are left. Morocco and Egypt are the last standing representatives of a continent that usually enters tournaments with hope spread across multiple teams, but exits with questions about what could have been. This is no longer about depth. It’s about survival.
And as the tournament tightens, both teams now carry something heavier than momentum. They carry what remains of an entire continent’s presence on the world stage. The World Cup has moved from group noise to knockout pressure, and Africa has been reduced to two very different stories still trying to extend the same dream.
Here’s how the rest of the knockout picture looks.
Portugal vs Spain
An Iberian derby, but with completely different moods. Spain arrived full of confidence after brushing Austria aside 3–0 in their last game, playing like a team that has finally found rhythm at exactly the right time. Portugal, meanwhile, had to grind through a 2–1 win over Croatia, the kind of match that reminds you knockout football rarely respects talent alone.
They know each other too well. They always have. But at this stage, familiarity doesn’t matter. It comes down to moments, not patterns, not possession, not history. Just execution when it counts.
USA vs Belgium
The United States are still riding momentum after a controlled 2–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nothing flashy, nothing loud, just a performance that got the job done and kept them moving. Belgium’s 3–2 win over Senegal told a different story. There’s still attacking quality there, but it came with struggle, mistakes, and long spells where control disappeared. One side is still trying to prove they belong deep in the tournament. The other is trying not to get exposed while they’re there.
Argentina vs Egypt
Argentina are still Argentina, but this tournament hasn’t been kind to their comfort zones. Their 3–2 extra-time win over Cape Verde felt less like control and more like survival. The talent is there, the reputation is there, but so is the pressure that comes with being defending champions. Egypt arrived after surviving Australia on penalties (1–1, 4–2 pens). Not dominant, not perfect, but stubborn enough to stay alive when it mattered most. It feels like two teams who won’t let go easily, even when the game starts slipping away.
Switzerland vs Colombia
Switzerland are doing what they always do, staying organised, staying disciplined, and quietly getting results. Their 2–0 win over Algeria never really felt in danger. Colombia’s 1–0 win over Ghana was the opposite. Tight, tense, and decided by fine margins rather than control. It’s not the loudest fixture on paper, but these are often the ones that turn chaotic late. The kind of match where one moment changes everything.
Norway vs England
This is the one people keep coming back to. Norway didn’t just beat Brazil, they knocked them out with a 2–1 win powered by Erling Haaland’s brace. It wasn’t just a result, it was a statement that shifted how the entire tournament feels. They’re no longer a surprise. They’re a problem.
England, meanwhile, survived Mexico in a 3–2 match that had everything, goals, tension, and a red card that almost flipped the outcome entirely. Messy, emotional, but ultimately enough to get through. Now they meet a Norway side playing with full belief and no hesitation.
France vs Morocco
This is where Morocco’s run meets its biggest test. France arrived with a kind of control that doesn’t need explaining anymore. They don’t panic, they don’t drift, and they rarely lose shape in moments that decide games. Morocco arrived with something different, expectation. Their 3–0 win over Canada showed a team that is no longer relying on surprise. This is structure, discipline, and belief that has carried over from 2022, but now comes with pressure attached.
They are not underdogs anymore. That chapter is closed. But France doesn’t usually deal in stories. They end them. One side is trying to prove 2022 wasn’t an exception. The other is trying to make sure it stays that way. Something has to give.
At this stage of the World Cup, narratives stop being shared and start becoming individual. Morocco carries expectation now, not surprise. Egypt carries resilience, not dominance. Every match is heavier, and every exit feels final. For Africa, everything has been condensed into two teams still trying to stretch the continent’s presence just a little further. No longer ten voices, just two. And every minute now feels like it matters more than the last.
Catch every twist, every upset, and every unforgettable moment live on SuperSport via DStv and GOtv. Because even when the tournament gets smaller, the stories only get bigger.


