The gambling sector in Kenya is fast becoming a significant contributor to the country’s financial well-being, in addition to the country’s overall economic success. According to industry statistics, the sector is on track to have a turnover of $50 million by the end of the year.
As reported by PWC in 2017, Kenya is one of the top three gambling markets in Africa, with the Kenyan gambling sector fast growing into a multi-million dollar enterprise. According to the research, It is already possible to participate in a variety of gambling sub-sectors in Canada, including lotteries, sports betting, and prize contests, in which there are currently 30 licensed betting organizations and casinos located around the nation.
The Casino Flamingo, the Mayfair Casino, and the Captain’s Club in Nairobi, as well as the Golden Key Casino and the Senator Casino in Mombasa, are some of the most popular gambling establishments in the nation. Among the most popular table games at these establishments, blackjack, poker and roulette are among the most popular, with more than 200 gaming tables spread around the nation. Additionally, slot machines are very popular, with more than 1300 slot machines accessible in land-based venues alone, demonstrating their widespread appeal.
Sports betting is a popular pastime.
Sports betting is one of the most popular forms of gambling in the nation, and there are around 30 sportsbooks licensed to operate in the country. Approximately $2 million is anticipated to be generated annually by this sub-sector of gambling. SportPesa was the first sportsbook to join the market, having obtained a licensing from the Kenyan government in 2013. Even though Kenya was the first country to issue gambling licenses in 1966, when the Betting Lotteries and Gambling Act outlined regulations and established the Betting Control and Licensing Board, the industry has only recently begun to take off on a scale that is comparable to the rest of the world, thanks to the use of mobile technology.
The fast growth of mobile technology in Kenya over the last several years has resulted in over 100 percent of the population now having access to a mobile device. A significant boost has come to the gambling business as a result of the widespread use of cellphones, which has enabled some of these individuals to become more regular gamblers. According to statistics, 64 percent of mobile gamblers use a smartphone, compared to 40 percent who use a regular phone. Of those who do bet using their mobile phone, it has been shown that 55% of these persons play more than once a week, demonstrating a rising interest in the business.
The stereotypical gambling character
The question is, who precisely are the individuals that gamble in Kenya? According to GeoPoll figures, men gamblers account for 70% of all gamblers. Most likely, this number may be attributed to the population’s interest in sports, with many Kenyans expressing a preference for football, particularly European leagues such as La Liga and the Premier League, over other sports. It is believed that the relationship of the gambling industry with football has contributed to gambling being a more respectable leisure activity in the nation.
As a result, according to a GeoPoll research, 47 percent of people who gamble in Kenya are light gamblers, who put bets once a month or less, while just 10 percent of those who gamble place bets more than once a day In Kenya, the most prevalent age group to gamble is between the ages of 25 and 34. Statistics also reveal that persons aged 35 and older are the least likely to engage in gambling, with the most often cited reason being a sense of duty to refrain from spending their money on gaming.
Kenyan gambling vs gambling in the United Kingdom
While the Kenyan gambling sector has progressed significantly since the establishment of the country’s first land-based casinos in the late 1960s, it still has a long way to go before it can compete with the achievements of the United Kingdom and other European nations.
One of the reasons for the success of the gambling business in the United Kingdom is the rapidly expanding online gaming sector. There is a wide range of suppliers to choose from, as well as a large number of options for gamers. There is a lot of competition for online casinos in the United Kingdom, which is driving the sector to become more inventive. 777 Casino distinguishes itself from the competition with its distinctive Las Vegas-style logo and wide range of games available at its UK online casino.
While the majority of individuals who gamble in the United Kingdom come from middle-income families, the majority of those who gamble in Kenya are from poor socio-economic backgrounds, requiring most operators to depend on big volumes and high frequency of low-value bets. The fact that this is not true in the United Kingdom is possibly one of the most fundamental distinctions between the two countries’ sectors.