A new comprehensive report from Gaming Compliance International (GCI) provides the first continent-wide look at African gaming, tracking data across all 54 nations. The findings reveal that while the regulated share of the market grew from 22% to 23%, the sheer scale of the unregulated sector remains a significant hurdle. In 2025 alone, unlicensed operators generated $17.8 billion in revenue, an increase from $15.6 billion in 2024, resulting in an estimated $3.55 billion loss for African governments in tax revenue.
Regulated Gambling Gains Ground Across Africa
African online gambling is shifting toward legitimacy, as regulated revenue climbed to $5.2 billion in 2025 from $4.4 billion the previous year. While the sector shows steady growth, a massive unregulated market continues to operate, siphoning billions in potential tax revenue away from public coffers across the continent.
Regulatory Optimization
Beyond the revenue figures, the number of unauthorized operators targeting the region rose from 3,644 to 4,129. GCI leadership emphasizes that the path forward lies in marketplace optimization rather than simple restriction. By refining taxation, payment systems, and enforcement, regulators can make licensed platforms more competitive. As GCI CEO Matt Holt noted, the data suggests that current regulatory tools are effective where applied, provided authorities have a clear view of market activity. With 215 million people now interacting with online gaming—up from 198 million in 2024—the primary objective remains capturing this existing demand within a secure, transparent, and regulated framework.
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