The gambling market in sub-Saharan Africa is heating up rapidly, and people's work and life status have become important factors affecting gambling habits. A recent survey found that there are significant differences in the way and frequency of betting depending on the profession.
GeoPoll conducted a survey in 2025 in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, and the results showed that the level of wages, whether the income is stable, and whether there is a job, all directly affect people's spending on gambling. Today, gambling is no longer just entertainment, but a digital activity that covers all ages and income levels.
In terms of participation rates, South Africa is the highest at 90%, Uganda at 87%, and Kenya at 79%. The survey also found that 38% of respondents are formally employed office workers, 29% are self-employed or in business, 18% are unemployed, 14% are students, and 1% are completely unable to work.
The betting habits of different groups vary greatly. Office workers, with stable incomes, tend to gamble more frequently and with larger amounts, especially favoring sports betting and online casinos. Individual entrepreneurs, with fluctuating incomes, bet more flexibly, sometimes using winnings to subsidize their business, and sometimes purely for entertainment. The unemployed bet less and with smaller amounts, but many see gambling as an opportunity to make a living. The student group values the gamified experience of mobile gambling apps more, betting small amounts and focusing on entertainment.
This survey indicates that the gambling industry in Africa is not just a market opportunity; it also reflects employment disparities and digital trends. Whether it's the stable-betting salaried workers or the casually entertaining students, they are all driving this market to constantly change.
