Ghana may not be the biggest nation in Africa, but the country is definitely flexing its muscles in the online gambling world.
Not only is Ghana considered amongst the top gambling markets on the continent, the west African nation has also been getting plenty of love from international observers.
The top order of online betting in sub-Saharan Africa is pretty much set, with South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya leading the way, but Ghana has arguably become the best of the rest and is knocking furiously at the doors of the bigger boys.
With a population of just over 30 million and an area of under 250,000 square kilometres, that is quite the achievement!
By comparison, the South African and Kenyan population figures are hovering around the 60 million mark, while Nigeria towers above everyone else with their 200 million plus people.
The Big 3 may hold the bragging rights for now, in terms of positions, but Ghana is constantly chipping away. Ghana sent a strong message of intent in November 2022, when it managed to lure global giants, bet365 into the country.
Bet365 is the biggest betting site in the world. They are present in many nations and continents, across Europe and the Americas, but their entry into Ghana was their first official foray into Africa.
“It was our preferred location for our first launch into Africa, as one of the most highly regulated, and highly regarded betting markets on the continent”, a bet365 official said in a glowing endorsement of Ghana’s gambling chiefs.
The Gaming Commission has endured plenty of criticisms during its nearly two-decades of existence, but this is surely a major feather in its cap.
Bet365 follows in the footsteps of many top betting sites to launch in Ghana, with betway, 1xBet, 22Bet, Betking, Betika, Mozzartbet and more all registered and licensed in the country.
As pointed out in the bet365 statement, Ghana’s regulated gambling space has been a major attraction for these big betting players, but that is not the only thing that has been pulling them into the country.
Ghana has a strong sporting tradition. We are one of the top football nations in Africa, with multiple AFCON successes and appearances at the World Cup. This sets a natural foundation for sports betting.
Over the last few years, that foundation has been built upon to become the big structure it is today. The rate of sports betting has been boosted by several factors. Technology has played a major role, with mobile penetration and internet accessibility constantly on the rise.
Perhaps, the most important catalyst has been the advent of mobile money, which has significantly improved the financial inclusion in Ghana, making it super easy for Ghanaians in all spheres of life to pay for goods and services over their mobile phones. Ghana is a mobile money force not only in Africa, but also in the world.
All of these have combined to make Ghana a truly attractive prospect for the biggest bookmakers in the world.
There are now over 70 gambling sites in Ghana, and that number is going up all the time.