Nigeria currently stands as a leader in African online gambling regulation, distinguishing itself even as unauthorized betting platforms continue to thrive across the continent. A report from Gaming Compliance International (GCI) provides the first exhaustive study of the sector across all 54 African nations, estimating total Gross Gaming Revenue at $23 billion for 2025.
The data highlights a significant imbalance: licensed operators captured only $5.2 billion of that revenue, while unregulated entities controlled $17.8 billion. In West Africa specifically, revenue rose to $4.8 billion, yet unlicensed sites still accounted for the majority of market share at 69 percent. Nigeria proved to be the most regulated market in the region, with its illegal gambling share restricted to 56 percent, significantly lower than regional and continental averages.
Digital betting popularity continues to climb, with the number of African participants growing from 198 million in 2024 to 215 million in 2025. This surge in activity has coincided with an increase in illicit platforms, which reached 4,129 this year. Consequently, governments lost an estimated $3.55 billion in potential tax revenue. GCI executives Matt Holt and Ismail Vali emphasized the urgent need for better enforcement and the creation of competitive, regulated frameworks to protect citizens, boost public revenue, and foster industry investment.
