Africa is emerging as one of the most promising and underserved regions for online poker. While sports betting and lotteries dominate the iGaming landscape, poker is quietly gaining traction.
EvenBet Gaming, a leading poker solutions provider, emphasizes how the African market is ready for formats adapted to local habits, particularly mobile-first and fast-session games. The company has already launched successful projects in the region, including partnerships with Hollywoodbets and Devilfish, confirming Africa’s high potential for online poker growth.
Market Size and Poker Opportunity
In 2025, Africa’s regulated gambling market was projected to generate over €5.5 billion in gross revenue, with an increasingly larger share coming from online channels. South Africa leads the region with over €3 billion, nearly half of which comes from digital platforms. Emerging markets like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana are seeing rapid mobile growth, thanks to accessible formats and high smartphone penetration.
Despite these figures, online poker contributes only three to five percent of online GGR in most African countries. Its strategic value is clear, however, as it acts as a retention tool, cross-sell mechanism, and community builder, complementing high-volume verticals such as sportsbooks and casinos.
Legal Landscape and Local Strategies
Poker regulations vary significantly by country.
- In Angola, online poker is fully legal and licensed under Gaming Law 17/24, offering regulatory certainty and first-mover opportunities for operators.
- In Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda, markets are partially regulated or in a gray zone, where poker can be offered under general casino licenses or via offshore operators.
- In South Africa and Tanzania, online poker is prohibited, although offshore access is widespread, allowing discreet entry without local promotion.
- In Rwanda, the legal risk is low, but poker presence is limited and requires case-by-case permission.
EvenBet Gaming advises operators, except in Angola, to adopt agile strategies by integrating poker into existing casinos or sportsbook platforms and focusing on fast, mobile-friendly, and easy-to-understand formats.
Ideal Poker Formats for Africa
- One Click Poker allows playing without a lobby or table selection, perfect for casual players and operators seeking rapid integration.
- Fast-Fold Poker offers instant action, letting players fold and move to the next hand immediately, encouraging short sessions and mobile engagement.
- Spins Poker is a lottery-style format with fast games, low skill barriers, and strong appeal for casual players, making it highly suitable for mobile-first markets.
These formats deliver engaging PvP experiences without the complexity of traditional ecosystems or large liquidity pools and align with Africa’s mobile-first, short-session gaming culture.
Conclusion
Online poker in Africa is still in its early stages, but the signs are promising. With growing mobile penetration, digital payments, and iGaming awareness, poker can play a meaningful role within broader gambling ecosystems. Success depends on adapting strategies to local realities, prioritizing mobile, short-session, and easy-to-play formats.
For operators investing in localization and innovation, Africa represents not only growth but also the opportunity to be pioneers in a market that is still waiting to be claimed.
Source: https://evenbetgaming.com/blog/articles/online-poker-in-africa/
