Africa's regulated online gambling revenue climbs to $5.2 bn in 2025

Gaming Compliance International released the first comprehensive report covering online gambling activity across all 54 African nations. Regulated online gambling revenue grew from $4.4 billion in 2024 to $5.2 billion in 2025, raising the regulated market share from 22% to 23%. The regulated audience exposure rose from 10% to 11%, while the proportion of the total population that interacted with online gambling increased from 13% (198 million people) to 14% (215 million people).

Unregulated operators still dominate the market, accounting for about 78% of gross gaming revenue (GGR) – $15.6 billion in 2024 and $17.8 billion in 2025 – and the number of such operators grew from 3,644 to 4,129. The report estimates that unregulated activity cost African governments roughly $3.55 billion in lost tax revenue. "The challenge is ensuring that demand is captured within the regulated sector," the analysis states, urging a shift toward licensed operators to protect consumers, create jobs, and increase public funding.

The study highlights the scale of the “Africa Challenge” and suggests that moving more players into the regulated sphere could deliver economic and social benefits across the continent.