According to reports from African media, in at least five African countries, many people view sports betting as a way to earn a steady income.
Some believe that sports betting is a way out of poverty.
However, social critics warn that the number of sports betting activities in Africa is increasing, while poverty, unemployment, and the lack of industry regulations remain major issues.
For example, a Ugandan health official was so sure that Argentina would beat Saudi Arabia in the group matches of the 2022 World Cup that he placed a bet of $1,800.
This money was loaned to him by officials, and was originally intended for 243 people participating in a polio vaccination campaign.
Argentina lost the match, and the official lost the money. Later, he was chased by an angry crowd and locked himself indoors for several days. His boss said he might lose his job.
In Uganda, this loss was a significant amount of money. In 2020, the per capita annual income of the country was $840.
Sports betting gamblers include students, politicians, workers, or government officials.
Although it is currently impossible to obtain comprehensive information on sports betting across Africa, data from some countries show that sports betting is becoming increasingly popular.
In recent years, the number of online gambling businesses has been increasing, driven by the growing use of mobile payments and the demand for online entertainment.
Most bets are placed on European football matches.
A 2017 study by the South African government found that the annual growth rate of sports betting was 14% from 2008 to 2016.
However, the number of South Africans participating in gambling dropped from 57% of the adult population to less than one-third.
Today, online sports betting accounts for 45% of the South African gambling market.
The National Gambling Board states that just a decade ago, casinos held an 80% market share.
In Zimbabwe, most people's monthly income does not exceed $100.
Japhet Moyo, the secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, said that sports betting "has become a major source of income, even for those with formal jobs."
"The problem is, gambling can be addictive, and some people may lose their salaries due to gambling."
African gamblers often hope to use the money won from gambling to pay for daily living expenses.
Philo Lagada, an unemployed teacher in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, had bet that England would beat Senegal in a World Cup match.
Lagada supports African football teams, but said he hoped England would win because "that's where my money was."
He said the money he won was "enough to buy bread and tomatoes for tomorrow."
Will Babarola, a university graduate in Lagos, Nigeria, became the owner of eight betting shops after struggling to find a job.
"If it weren't for gambling, I don't know how some people would survive in this country."
Therefore, societal concerns about the industry are also intensifying.
Regan Wamajji, a researcher at the Uganda Policy Analysis Center, said that campaigns against gambling (especially sports betting) should be launched.
"However, it is a lucrative business, and it may be difficult to push for meaningful reforms," he said.
Earlier this year, a group of Ugandan MPs proposed banning daytime gambling, but it was not implemented.
