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Sports are a part of everyday life for many people living in Africa. From watching it on television to playing a quick game with friends, Africans love the adrenaline of competing.
Another thing that has become increasingly popular on the continent falls hand in hand with this love of sports—sports betting. Being able to make money by cheering on your favorite team is something many African countries have quickly adopted.
Sports betting has quickly overtaken more traditional (and more modern) types of gambling in most countries. These include visiting brick-and-mortar casinos and online gambling sites.
Not all sports are bet on equally, however, and some attract far more gamblers than others. Continue reading to find out the most popular sports to bet on in Africa and why the residents of the vast land love them so much.
Soccer (Football)
Without a doubt, the most popular sport to bet on in Africa is soccer (also known as football). Aside from being the sport that is bet on most often, it is the most loved sport across most of the continent.
From kids playing in the street, adults organizing games on a weekend, or massive groups getting together to watch a match, soccer is revered. And not just because it is fun to watch but because most African residents start playing from a young age and develop, at the very least, a decent skill at the sport.
The continent is also home to some of the best soccer stars in the world—like George Weah and Mohamed Salah. Massive tournaments, such as the Africa Cup of Nations, are also hosted among countries on the continent.
Love of European soccer and competitions such as the EUFA European Championship also help spur the love of the sport and increase betting on match outcomes. The relatively recent introduction of live betting has also caused an increase in betting on this sport.
Rugby
While more loved in South Africa than in certain other African countries, rugby is easily a favorite among African sports fans. Countries such as Kenya, Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa have strong national teams in this sport, with the latter even winning the World Cup multiple times.
One thing that makes this sport stand out is that all demographics seem drawn to it. From women to young children, the atmosphere of a close match and the anticipation of seeing who wins can easily suck everyone towards nearby screens—or better yet, a live game.
With such investment in the sport and which team will be victorious each time a match takes place, it is no wonder that fans heavily bet on this sport. Tournaments like the Africa Cup and Rugby Championship (formerly the Tri-Nations) also encourage fans to place bets.
Just like with soccer, another contributing factor to the popularity of gambling on this sport is its wide availability. Many sportsbooks, both online and in casinos, also accept live soccer betting, upping the excitement of placing a wager.
Basketball
While basketball may be mistakenly considered a predominantly American sport, nothing could be more untrue. First spreading across the continent in the 1960s, basketball has become a much-loved athletic pastime in central and northern Africa.
With massive competitions like the AfroBasket, many gamblers look forward to upcoming games to try their luck while supporting their favorite players. There is also no short supply of these, with many American teams looking to Africa to find new players.
The National Basketball Association (NBA)—easily the largest basketball professional league worldwide—has welcomed over 70 African players to teams in the past. Of these, Nigeria is one of the sport’s most prosperous countries, birthing players like Festus Ezeli and Josh Okogie.
Bookmakers widely provide for the sport, and in some instances, live betting is available. This, alongside a deep desire to put their money behind their team, has led to many fans gambling on it regularly.
Cricket
Another sport African fans cannot get enough of is cricket. The sport is enjoyed mainly in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Zambia, and Kenya. Some other countries, such as Kenya, Botswana, and Tanzania, also have a growing cricket industry.
Arriving on the continent between the 18th and 19th centuries, local athletes quickly adopted the sport, although it was much slower to catch on than sports like rugby, running, and soccer.
The ACA (Africa Cricket Association) Africa T20 Cup is easily the largest tournament on the continent, with many gamblers opting to place bets on the outcome of matches. International competitions such as the Ashes and ICC Cricket World Cup also gather significant bets when they are active.
Almost all online sports betting websites in African countries accept cricket bets, with many allowing live betting. This accessibility has led to much of the population trying to predict match outcomes for big rewards.
Conclusion
While many other sports, such as handball, wrestling, cycling, athletics, and rallying, are also wildly popular in Africa, the ones mentioned above are what gamblers love most. With an ever-growing gambling industry on the continent, these sports continue to pull in millions each year as locals take their best shots at courting Lady Luck.
