TLDR Virgin Bet has launched in South Africa through Virginbet.co.za, its first market outside the UK The platform is operated by LiveScore Group out of its existing Nigerian operations South Africa is Africa’s largest regulated gambling market with $89 billion wagered in 2024/2025 The country’s National Treasury has proposed a 20% levy tax on online gambling Virgin Bet says it will focus on responsible gambling features and local sports betting
Virgin Bet has officially launched in South Africa. It is the first time the brand has operated outside the United Kingdom.
The platform, run by LiveScore Group, went live at Virginbet.co.za. The company confirmed the news on Monday.
LiveScore Group said the launch is part of a wider plan to grow its presence across Africa. The South African operation will be managed from the company’s existing base in Nigeria, where it already runs its LiveScore Bet product.
South Africa is the biggest licensed betting market on the African continent. The country’s gambling industry is regulated by both provincial and national bodies.
South Africa’s Betting Market Posts Strong Growth
According to the National Gambling Board of South Africa, 1.5 trillion South African Rand was wagered during the 2024/2025 financial year. That figure equals roughly $89 billion.
The amount wagered was 31.3% higher than the previous financial year. Betting made up 75% of the total, while casinos accounted for 19.5%.
Limited payout machines and bingo contributed smaller shares at 3.6% and 1.8% respectively. The gambling sector employed around 34,316 people by 2024, according to the NGB.
The market’s growth has drawn the attention of regulators and lawmakers. South Africa’s National Treasury has put forward a proposal for a 20% levy tax on online gambling.
The proposed tax would represent a shift toward stricter taxation of digital betting in the