A few years ago, accessing an online casino in many African countries was not as straightforward as it is today. Someone interested in playing a casino game might have needed a computer or a bank card that supported international payments. That could make the experience difficult, especially in places where smartphones were becoming more common than desktop computers.

But take a quick look at the market today, and you won’t miss how much the industry has evolved. Today, with a smartphone and reliable internet, you can access entertainment without sitting in front of a desktop. As such, it’s not a surprise that, according to Ecofin Agency, an estimated 215 million Africans, or 14 percent of the population, engaged with online gambling in 2025, up from 198 million a year earlier.

Licensed operators generated $5.2 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2025, up from $4.4 billion in 2024, a rise of roughly 18 percent. Well, figures like these help explain why forward-thinking platforms like the Betway app are now targeting this market. But market size is only part of the story. So, why exactly is it becoming almost impossible for global operators to ignore the African market?

Mobile internet is changing access

Think about how people use the internet today. Someone might check messages on their phone during a commute, watch a video during a break and browse an entertainment platform later in the evening. A computer is no longer necessary for many of these everyday online activities.

In fact, in Africa alone, mobile accounted for almost 8% of the continent’s GDP. This finding by the GSM Association estimated that mobile technologies contributed $240 billion to the continent’s economy in 2025. And if people are already used to accessing most online services on their phones, you can’t expect them to behave differently when it comes to online entertainment.

This is one reason platforms like the Betway app are paying more attention to mobile platforms. Rather than expecting users to visit a website from a desktop computer, they can offer mobile-friendly websites. The idea is to make accessing an online casino feel as straightforward as using other services on a smartphone.

However, there is more to this than simply having a mobile version of a website. Internet access remains uneven across the continent. Someone living in a major city may enjoy reliable connectivity, while another person in a rural area might struggle with slow speeds. Data costs can also influence how frequently people access online platforms.

Operators entering African markets therefore have to think about how their platforms perform under different conditions. A website that loads slowly or uses too much data may discourage users from returning, so mobile optimization is an important consideration as the market develops.

Wallets that work like Bank accounts

One thing you’ll quickly discover about the African market is that not everyone wants to pay by card. In several countries, mobile money has become part of everyday life. People use it to send money to relatives, settle bills and make purchases. The Telecoms Chamber recently published a study along these lines, claiming that mobile money transactions across the continent reached around $1.43 trillion in 2025, up 27% from 2024.

Ownership figures tell a similar story. According to ITWeb, around 40 percent of adults in sub-Saharan Africa have a mobile money account, giving the region the highest adoption rate globally. Even more striking, one in five adults relies on mobile money as their only financial account.

Now imagine those individuals signing up for a casino and being unable to complete a transaction because the platform accepts only international bank cards. That would immediately create an unnecessary barrier. This is why African-facing operators like the Betway App can no longer ignore payment flexibility.

For instance, a Kenyan player might prefer using M-Pesa to entering card details. Another player from a different country might prefer a different mobile wallet, depending on what services are available locally. Recognizing these differences can help operators make their platforms more accessible by supporting payment methods consumers already understand.

Regulations are catching up with demand

Regulation has not always kept pace with the growth of online gambling in Africa, but some governments are beginning to address that gap. Kenya is a good example. In February 2026, the new Gambling Regulatory Authority replaced the former Betting Control and Licensing Board. Operators were then given until June 2026 to comply with revised integration and cybersecurity requirements.

There are signs that these changes are making a difference. West Africa currently has the continent’s largest regulated online gambling market, where licensed operators account for 31 percent of total revenue. The figure for Africa as a whole is lower, but it is moving in the right direction. Licensed operators held 22 percent of the market in 2024, rising to 23 percent in 2025.

South Africa could be the next market to watch. Online sports betting is already legal, although online casino gaming remains prohibited. That position could change following the proposed Remote Gambling Bill, which was expected to enter public consultation in the third quarter of 2026. If it moves forward, the proposed legislation would establish a licensing route for operators like the Betway app.

Since international investors favor clear conditions when entering a new market, these regulatory developments could make Africa even more attractive.