A new continent-wide assessment by Gaming Compliance International (GCI) has ranked Nigeria as the leading country in West Africa for online gambling regulation, with illegal betting activity significantly below regional and continental averages. The report, which covered all 54 African nations, found that Nigeria's unregulated market share stood at 56 percent, markedly lower than the West African average of 69 percent and the continent-wide average of 77 percent.
Africa's Online Gambling Market Reaches $23 Billion in 2025
According to the GCI report, Africa's total online gambling Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) hit $23 billion in 2025. Licensed operators generated just $5.2 billion, accounting for 23 percent of the market, while unlicensed platforms captured the remaining $17.8 billion, equivalent to 77 percent. This highlights the dominance of illegal operators across the continent, despite growing regulatory efforts.
In West Africa specifically, online gambling revenue rose to $4.8 billion in 2025, up from $4.3 billion the previous year. Regulated operators contributed $1.5 billion, or 31 percent, while $3.3 billion (69 percent) flowed to unlicensed platforms. Nigeria's performance stood out: its regulated sector accounted for 44 percent of the market, demonstrating stronger enforcement and licensing frameworks compared to its neighbours.
Illegal Operators Cost African Governments Billions in Lost Tax Revenue
The GCI report tracked participation figures showing that the number of people gambling online across Africa grew from 198 million (13 percent of the population) in 2024 to 215 million (14 percent) in 2025. Alongside this growth, the number of unlicensed platforms targeting African consumers increased from 3,644 in 2024 to 4,129 in 2025. GCI estimated that this illegal activity cost African governments roughly $3.55 billion in tax revenue during 2025.
GCI Chief Executive Officer Matt Holt commented that the report provides regulators with their first continent-wide benchmark for improving oversight and protecting consumers. GCI President Ismail Vali urged governments to build competitive, well-regulated markets that give consumers a reason to choose licensed operators, which would in turn boost public revenue and attract greater investment into the sector.
Nigeria's Regulatory Framework Proves Effective
Nigeria's relatively low unregulated market share reflects the effectiveness of its regulatory agencies, including the National Lottery Regulatory Commission and state-level bodies. The country has implemented strict licensing requirements, consumer protection measures, and enforcement actions against illegal operators. This has created a more formalised gambling environment compared to other West African nations, where illegal platforms often operate with impunity.
The GCI report also noted that Nigeria's performance could serve as a model for other African countries seeking to curb illegal gambling and increase tax revenues. By reducing the share of unlicensed platforms, governments can redirect billions of dollars into public coffers while safeguarding consumers from fraud and exploitation.
Call for Stronger Regional Cooperation
Experts suggest that cross-border cooperation is essential to combat illegal gambling effectively. Many unlicensed platforms operate across multiple African countries, exploiting regulatory gaps and weak enforcement. The GCI report provides a baseline for measuring progress and identifying areas where governments need to strengthen their regulatory frameworks.
As Africa's online gambling market continues to expand, the report underscores the urgent need for harmonised regulations and robust enforcement mechanisms. Nigeria's example demonstrates that targeted regulatory efforts can significantly reduce illegal activity, but sustained political will and international collaboration are required to replicate this success across the continent.
