TLDR Africa’s online betting revenue reached $23 billion in 2025. Unregulated operators controlled 77% of the entire market. Regulated betting brought in $5.2 billion, while unregulated platforms made $17.8 billion. Africa missed out on roughly $3.55 billion in tax revenue because of unregulated betting. North Africa’s betting market was almost entirely unregulated, at 99.7%.
Africa’s online gambling industry grew fast in 2025. Gross gaming revenue across the continent reached $23 billion for the year.
Most of that money did not flow through licensed channels. New data from Gaming Compliance International shows unregulated operators controlled 77% of the market.
Regulated betting sites brought in $5.2 billion. Unregulated platforms made far more, pulling in $17.8 billion.
The gap shows up in how people used these services too. Only 11% of consumers used regulated betting content, while 89% used unregulated services.
An estimated 215 million Africans took part in online gambling during 2025. That works out to 14% of the continent’s population.
The size of the unregulated market came with a cost. Africa lost about $3.55 billion in tax revenue, based on 20% of unregulated gross gaming revenue.
Regional Differences Across Africa
The split between regulated and unregulated betting varied a lot by region. Southern Africa had the highest regulated share, at 28%.
West Africa was close behind, with 31% of its market regulated. East Africa and Central Africa leaned heavily toward unregulated betting, at 85% and 78%.
North Africa stood out the most. Its market was 99.7% unregulated, leaving almost no room for licensed operators.
Africa’s overall regulated share of 23% matched Europe and North America. Latin America did slightly better, with 27% regulated. Asia-Pacific had the least regulation of any region, with 94% of its market unregulated.
What Is Driving Unregulated Betting
The report points to four policy