Esports Betting Surge: Africa Emerges as the Next Major Growth Frontier

The African wagering market is standing at the precipice of a significant transformation. While football has historically been the undisputed leader of sports betting on the continent, suppliers and operators are increasingly positioning themselves for a massive surge in esports. This is not merely about making video game bets available; it is about building a digital infrastructure for a young, mobile-centric generation. In South Africa, market maturity for this sector is expected in about 18 months, whereas the rest of the continent might take another five years according to industry consultants.

This momentum is backed by global trends. While Europe accounted for over 40 percent of global esports betting activity in 2024, the balance of power is shifting. Titles like Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and League of Legends remain the workhorses, but new mobile titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang are gaining ground rapidly. Growth is driven less by traditional grand tournaments and more by the daily availability of eSims and regional leagues that do not rely on expensive stadium infrastructure.

Numbers and facts

The economic dimensions are substantial. Business Research Insights estimates that the global esports betting market will rise from US$18.53 billion in 2026 to US$59.42 billion by 2035. The growth rates reported by suppliers are particularly impressive. DATA.BET reported a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) increase of 91.4 percent year-on-year for the first quarter of 2026 across its partner network. Turnover rose by 70.6 percent during the same period, while the number of bets increased by 33.2 percent.

In South Africa, total gross gambling revenue reached approximately 75 billion Rand in the 2024/2025 financial year, which equates to roughly US$4.3 billion. Betting already accounts for 70 percent of the total market there. The specific esports betting market in South Africa is projected to grow from US$9.64 million in 2024 to over US$30 million by 2033.

Background

A decisive factor for success in Africa is the competition within mobile apps. Esports does not necessarily compete with traditional football here. Experts see the competition more in the realm of aviator-style crash games or virtual sports. These products are characterized by low stakes and high frequency, fitting perfectly with mobile usage habits. However, Kristof Szucs of Kyborg.ai warns against overoptimism based on pure volume.

"A deal giving you 7,700 markets doesn’t help if your players only bet on three of them." - Kristof Szucs, Co-founder and Principal at Kyborg.ai

Integrity remains a concern. With round-the-clock schedules and many competitions in lower tiers, the risk of match-fixing and betting fraud increases. Since many of these events lack independent oversight, operators must invest in their own monitoring systems to ensure commercial stability. Partnerships like the one between DATA.BET and Hollywoodbets show that established brands are willing to take this risk to enter the market.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the situation remains much more strictly regulated due to the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). While thousands of niche esports markets are emerging in Africa and other regions, the offering in Germany is limited to sports approved by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). Esports betting is often considered a legal gray area in Germany or is only recognized as a sports bet under strict conditions. Therefore, players must ensure they only bet with providers listed on the official GGL whitelist.

The high frequency of crash games observed in Africa is prohibited in Germany by the 5-second interval for slots and the strict 1 Euro per spin limit, as well as the monthly 1,000 Euro deposit limit via the LUGAS system. German customers enjoy a much higher level of player protection but must forgo the variety of exotic betting markets common in other regions. Betting with unlicensed MGA or Curacao providers involves high risks, as neither compliance with German limits nor legal protection for payouts is guaranteed.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German licensees are closely watching global developments as esports attracts a lucrative younger demographic. For GGL-licensed operators, the trend from Africa and Asia primarily means pressure to adapt technologically. To compete with the black market, legal providers must optimize their platforms for mobile devices while integrating strict German identity checks and deposit limits. The growth in titles like Mobile Legends shows that the shift from desktop PCs to smartphones is irreversible. German operators must find solutions to offer attractive live betting within the LUGAS framework without compromising player protection.