Online sports betting in Ghana has experienced a very sharp growth in the last decade, with almost half of the country’s adult population now actively involved in such activities.
The betting landscape in Ghana has evolved over the years, with many bettors now shifting away from brick-and-mortar shops to online betting sites.
Ghanaian punters are now spoilt for choice, with many betting companies now operating in the country. We examine three key factors that have been chiefly responsible for the rise in online betting in Ghana.
Mobile Penetration
Ghana’s rapidly-improved mobile infrastructure has played a leading role in the rise of sports betting in the country.
Back in the day, betting used to be done in physical shops across Accra, Kumasi and other big cities, but the focus has now shifted to mobile betting.
Mobile penetration in Ghana is at an all-time high, with the country boasting over 40 million mobile connections as at January 2021. The mobile penetration in January was at a staggering 132.8%.
Note that many Ghanaians have more than one mobile phone, which explains why the number of mobile connections is greater than 100% of the total population.
With so many people now owning mobile phones in Ghana, online sports betting has become very easy. Actually, not only in sports, with mobile phones, it is now also possible to access the best online bingo uk and other famous gambling sites on the web.
In response to this trend, most betting sites now have mobile-friendly sites and betting apps, compatible with all kinds of devices, operating systems and mobile networks.
Mobile betting allows Ghanaian players to bet on-the-go, regardless of time and location.
Internet Penetration
As mobile penetration increases in Ghana, so does internet penetration. Both factors have operated in tandem to push up the rate of online sports betting in Ghana.
There were 15.7 million internet users in Ghana in January 2021, putting internet penetration in the country at exactly 50%.
More than ever before, Ghanaians now have access to high-speed Internet connection. It is projected that nearly 95% of all internet connections in Ghana will be either 3G or 4G by the end of 2025.
Naturally, increasing accessibility to good internet connection has boosted many sectors in Ghana, and the online betting industry has been no exception.
Mobile Money
Mobile phones and good internet have been great for online sports betting in Ghana, but the icing on the cake has been the rise of mobile money in the country.
Depositing money on betting sites is one of the most important aspects of online betting, and the remarkable rise of mobile money has made this very easy for Ghanaian players.
The World Bank stated in 2019 that Ghana has the fastest-growing mobile money market in Africa. According to a report published by the Bank of Ghana in March last year, there are 14.7 million active mobile money accounts in the country and 235,000 active agents.
Recognizing the importance of mobile money to their business, many betting sites in Ghana now have platforms like MTN, Vodafone and Airtel Tigo as part of their deposit options.
Other factors that have contributed to Ghana’s growing affinity for online betting include the strong youth population and sports-loving public.
Ghanaians are absolutely crazy about their football, and when this is married to the increasing ease of online betting, the result is a sharp rise in the rate of online betting in Ghana.
African Eye Report
