Why virtual sports betting is so popular in Africa

In Africa, sports betting is at the peak of popularity. Betting here is developing not only in traditional sports but also in virtual games that provide almost unlimited opportunities for betting. 

The development of technology and the growth of the population loyal to sports have provoked a betting boom on the African continent. Currently, in addition to traditional sports betting, players from Africa are increasingly choosing virtual sports events for betting.

Kenya. Kenyan authorities reduced the tax rate on betting, fixing it at 7.5%. This step is designed to attract operators back to the country after long disagreements on the grounds of taxation.

• Nigeria. Almost 60% of residents participate in betting. According to online casinos reviews UK, the total population exceeds 200 million people.
• South Africa. The region brings almost half of all gambling revenue on the continent.

• Ghana. The Gambling Commission of the country allowed licensees to provide online betting services during the pandemic.
• Tanzania. The official legalization of virtual sports took place in 2021.

About virtual sports

Virtual sports is a simulation of sports events generated by special software. It is available around the clock, provides thousands of games every day, there is no seasonality or shortage of competitions for betting.

Events in virtual sports are faster and last up to several minutes. Playback is realized using modern graphics that are similar in quality to video games. The best virtual sports products feature truly stunning realistic visualization. To create a rendering of the smallest details, developers use CGI technology.

Virtual sports are based on RNG, just like in slot machines. However, the difference is that RNG generates the entire list of possible outcomes of an event, and players can already choose from realistic odds, evaluating them before placing a bet.

The results in virtual sports, as well as the graphics, are as realistic as possible. For example, Virtual Grand National, which was launched in 2017 to accompany races in the UK, generates the same finalists who eventually win in real competitions. In 2018, the simulation even managed to predict the real winner, which was Tiger Roll.

Differences between traditional, virtual and eSports

There are a number of important differences between real, virtual and esports.

In traditional sports, live matches take place according to a clear schedule. For example, a football match lasts 90 minutes and competitions take place once a week. While the time of a virtual match is only a few minutes, and the events are almost continuous.

Quite often the terms “e-sports” and “virtual sports” are used as synonyms. However, these are two different products. Virtual sports simulate sports events, while eSports are competitions between real gamers, for example, in Dota 2 or CS:GO.

Online betting in Africa

African demography is defined by young age. According to UN-Habitat, 35% of the continent’s population is 15-35 years old. At the same time, more than 420 million people live in Africa. The survey by GeoPoll also showed that 54% of the population of Sub-Saharan Africa aged 17-35 years tried to make a bet at least once.

GeoPoll data shows that 75% of African bettors place bets from mobile devices. The coverage of the continent with mobile Internet has recently expanded significantly, while most Africans have only a mobile phone, not a laptop or computer.

Virtual sports are chosen by tech-savvy football fans who like to place low bets but in large quantities. This description is almost an exact portrait of modern players from Africa. Their young age, interest in technology, lifestyle and mindset easily explain their passion for betting and betting on virtual sports.

For many members of the younger generation growing up in the era of video games and high-quality graphics, virtual sports is the first experience in the world of betting. Beginners, for whom the odds system seems complicated and confusing at the beginning, “train” on virtual sports before placing bets in real sports events.

Experienced players get additional opportunities in the world of betting thanks to virtual sports. Having tried betting on virtual sports once, many of the bettors stop watching games in regular sports and are fully involved in the new process, testing their instincts and luck.

According to statistics, Kenyans, for example, bet at least once a week. Some players bet every day. According to IPSOS and GeoPoll, in 2019, Kenyans aged 18-29 spent 1550 Kenyan shillings – about $14 – on bets every month.