According to Statista, Africa’s gambling market could reach $17.63 billion by the end of 2025. And if all goes well, the revenue could continue growing to hit $20.81 billion by 2029, resulting in a CAGR of about 4.23%. Narrowing down to the casino industry, Statista approximates its market volume to be about $10.64 billion – more than 60% of the overall gambling industry in 2025.
From these statistics, it’s pretty clear that the casino industry has become very popular in Africa and could continue doing so in the coming years. But do you think tech improvements have played a role in this growth? Well, if you have such questions, reading this article will really help.
The age of increased mobile usage
With many Africans using their mobile phones to do almost everything, no one wants a frustrating experience just because they use smaller devices. It’s no wonder platforms like Jackpot City South Africa are turning to responsive designs to cater to this preference. These designs help to ensure that casino platforms work well on multiple screen sizes without pinching or zooming.
That way, online casinos can improve player experience and, consequently, retention rates. Players tend to revisit mobile-friendly sites more than non-mobile-friendly ones and could even recommend them to their friends. And for operators like Jackpot City South Africa seeking to reach new markets, these designs have 40% more conversion rates than non-optimized ones.
Given that a considerable number of Africans own smartphones and would love to use them to gamble, you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to reach such audiences. Looking at the statistics, countries like Nigeria have a mobile penetration rate of more than 85%. With Nigeria’s population past 227 million, 85% is already a huge statistic to ignore.
This is why there has been a growing emphasis on responsive designs in the African casino industry. By tailoring their platforms for mobile usage, platforms like Jackpot City South Africa increase their likelihood of reaching as many people as possible, causing the industry to expand more.
The power of payment methods
As simple as it may sound, payment technology can really help an industry advance, especially now that effective payment methods could increase retention by 15-20%. Beyond just finding fun in an online casino, players are also seeking other things like speed and convenience. And since casinos like Jackpot City South Africa know this quite well, they have been adopting innovative payment methods to improve their appeal.
No wonder you may noticed instant payments on most of these platforms. Surprisingly, instant payments can help increase conversion and retention rates because, according to PYMNTS.com, about 78% of consumers rank them as an important part of their experience. This explains the dominance of e-wallets and contactless payment methods in this industry.
Diversification of payments is another trick casinos like Jackpot City South Africa use to increase their reach. Interestingly, studies reveal that the availability of preferred methods could positively affect the purchase decisions of up to 70% of consumers. The best part is that if one method has hitches, players can comfortably switch to another without necessarily surveying for another gambling platform.
And to improve their appeal even more, some of these casino platforms have implemented local payment methods like MPesa to cater to regional preferences. This could make target audiences feel you understand them better, encouraging trust and conversion and, thus, resulting in better business performance. In fact, according to Zoe Marketing & Communications, more than eight in ten businesses that localize witness revenue growth.
Using technology to improve online safety
Generally, the online casino industry is a highly targeted sector by cybercriminals, given its enormous number of participants. And now that these malicious attackers are advancing their techniques, brands have also been working hard to improve their online security. Plus, internet users, including gamblers, have become more aware of their online safety, so a single mistake could lead to massive losses.
A recent study by Security Magazine noted that more than eight in ten will avoid a business following a breach, while 21% may never return. This statistic also proves that paying attention to online security can be a great marketing tool. After all, no one wants to interact in a seemingly insecure environment, and adopting infrastructures that present you as secure can really improve your appeal.
Take 2FA, for instance. By requiring two distinct verification methods before granting access, this approach makes it harder for hackers to access data even if they obtain a password. They will also need a second factor, such as a code or a device, to gain access. More than 41% of developers prioritize this infrastructure over any other authentication area, which should tell you that 2FA is actually powerful.
What is our final word?
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that, according to Statista, the African casino industry now stands at $10.64 billion. Known for its openness to innovation, the sector has been taking advantage of technology to appeal to as many players as possible.
This explains the popularity of features like responsive designs and seamless payment methods in the sector. As if that’s not enough, platforms like Jackpot City South Africa have been adopting more secure infrastructures like 2FA to improve their appeal to security-conscious players, leading to the industry’s further growth.