Summary

The market is primarily driven by rising internet penetration and increased use of mobile phones by users to play online games from their homes and public places. Factors such as easy access to internet gambling, legality and societal acceptance, corporate sponsorships, and celebrity endorsements are also driving market growth. The increasing availability of low-cost mobile applications throughout the region is expected to aid market growth. Sports betting has recently gained popularity in the Arab world. Soccer, camel races, formula racing, and horse races are among the most popular sporting activities, with soccer being the most popular owing to the fact that some of Asia's greatest national soccer leagues and clubs are based in Arab countries and regions. Locals are enthusiastic about both local and international sporting events, and they bet on their favourite teams through well-known global online betting sites. However, because translations into Arabic and other regional languages are sometimes unavailable, these platforms only serve the Arab people's wagering needs to a limited extent. Online poker is expected to gain popularity, particularly among college students. The market is expected to grow rapidly due to the widespread popularity of online card games. Many sites accept deposits via major credit cards, online wallets, and even virtual currencies such as Bitcoin, which will contribute to the long-term success of online poker. The large number of games available to players fuels the segment even further.

According to the research report, “Middle East and Africa Online Gambling Market Outlook, 2028” published by Bonafide Research, the market is expected to add more than USD 3.71 billion 2028. The African sports betting market's steady growth can be attributed to the continent's enormous passion for sport, with football being the most popular sport on the continent. Other sports that Africans are enthusiastic about include cricket, rugby, and marathon running. African children are also big fans of European football leagues and other FIFA events. Most players place their bets on the major European leagues, such as the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga, with the EPL being the most popular on the continent. Other popular European competitions include the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. The potential of the African sports betting industry is based on the continent's young population. This generation has no qualms about placing sports bets on their smartphones. Furthermore, the high unemployment rate motivates people to gamble online for a living. Betting companies in Africa must therefore have an online or mobile-first strategy with an offer tailored to the preferences of the local population.

With the rapid increase in internet and smartphone penetration in the region, an increasing number of people have access to online gambling platforms. This has resulted in a growing customer base for online gambling companies. Some countries in the Middle East and Africa have adopted a more liberal and open-minded approach to gambling. This has resulted in a greater acceptance of online gambling among younger generations. Land-based gambling is either illegal or heavily restricted in some countries. This has created a demand for online gambling options as a viable alternative. Economic growth in the region has resulted in an increase in disposable income. As a result, more people are willing to spend money on hobbies like online gambling. Sports betting is extremely popular in the Middle East and Africa, and many online gambling companies have taken advantage of this by providing a diverse range of sports betting options.

South Africa is the biggest market of online gambling in MEA, online gambling is legal, but it is strictly regulated by the National Gambling Board (NGB) and provincial regulatory authorities. South Africa's legal online gambling market Sports betting, horse racing betting, and lotteries are the most popular forms of online gambling in South Africa. A variety of licenced operators, including both local and international brands, offer this type of online gambling. Online poker and casino games are also legal. The country's high internet penetration rate, which has increased significantly in recent years, is one of the key drivers of the South African online gambling market. Furthermore, the increasing popularity of mobile devices has made it easier for people to access online gambling services while they are on the go. As the South African economy expands, more people will have disposable income to engage in leisure activities such as online gambling. This has aided in the expansion of the country's online gambling market. South African online gambling operators are increasingly advertising their services and attracting new customers through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This has aided in raising consumer awareness and interest in online gambling in South Africa.

According to the report, the market is segmented into gaming type, sports betting, casinos, poker, bingo, and lottery. Among them the sports betting segment holds the maximum market in 2022 and expected to dominate the market of online gambling in Middle East and Africa. Sports betting is especially popular in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region for a variety of reasons. Football (soccer) is a popular sport in many of the region's countries, and many people enjoy betting on their favourite teams and players. Football is, in fact, the most popular sport in the MEA region, and the excitement of the game is frequently heightened by placing bets on the outcome. Online sports betting allows people to place bets from the comfort of their own homes, eliminating the need to physically visit a betting shop or casino. This is especially appealing in countries where physical betting shops or casinos are scarce or non-existent. Many online sports betting sites provide a diverse range of markets and betting options, which can be very appealing to sports fans who enjoy analysing statistics and placing informed wagers. Some online sports betting sites, for example, allow users to wager on things like the number of yellow cards issued in a game, the number of corners taken, or the total number of goals scored. Based on device type, the market is divided into mobile devices (phones and tablets) and desktop. Among them the mobile devices segment holds the highest market share in 2022 and it is expected to dominate in the upcoming period.

Considered in this report
• Geography: Middle East and Africa
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report
• Middle East and Africa Online Gambling market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Countries covered in the report:
• South Africa
• Turkey

By Gaming Type:
• Sports Betting
• Casinos
• Poker
• Bingo
• Lottery
• Others

By Device Type:
• Mobile Devices (phones and tablets)
• Desktop

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analysing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to Online Gambling industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.

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