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South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria among African countries with the highest online gambling rates

October 26, 2026 · 4:33pm ET | 1:33pm PT
Photo: Shutterstock
  • Adekunle Agbetiloye, Business Insider Africa

South Africa has the highest online gambling participation rate among 48 markets, with 32.3% of internet users aged 16 and older visiting a gambling or betting website or app in the previous month, according to data from GWI’s Q2 2025 survey published in the Digital 2026 Global Overview Report.

Norway ranks second at 31.2%, followed by Greece at 25.8% and New Zealand at 24.0%. Ghana is the second-highest African country on the list, ranking fifth globally at 21.5%, while Nigeria places 10th, with 18.0% of internet users engaging with online gambling platforms, ahead of the US, which ranks 38th.

The rankings highlight the growing reach of online betting across markets with different regulatory environments and gambling industries, with three African countries featuring among the top 10.