Sports betting in Zambia has grown quickly, especially in 2024. As more people use smartphones and mobile money, sports betting has become easier and more popular. Sports betting Zambia is thriving as more people place bets on football and other sports. This article looks at how Zambia’s betting market grew in 2024 and what we can expect for 2025.
Growth in Zambia’s Betting Market in 2024
In 2024, Zambia’s sports betting industry saw impressive growth. A big reason for this is the rise of mobile phones and mobile money services. More people now own smartphones, and mobile data is cheaper, making it easier to access betting apps.
Football is the most popular sport for betting in Zambia. People follow local leagues and international football, like the English Premier League. Many Zambians place bets on their favorite teams and players.
Mobile money services like Airtel Money and MTN Mobile Money have made it easy for Zambians to deposit and withdraw money for betting. These services are simple to use, even for people without bank accounts. This has helped increase the number of people joining the betting market.
Key Factors Driving Growth in Zambia’s Betting Market
Several factors have helped Zambia’s betting market grow:
- Zambia has a young population that enjoys sports and is comfortable using technology. This makes them ideal users of sports betting apps.
- More people are using smartphones in Zambia. Betting apps allow people to place bets on their phones anywhere and anytime.
- The cost of mobile data is lower. This allows more Zambians to access the internet and join the sports betting market.
- Zambia has introduced clear rules for sports betting. This makes the market safer and more trustworthy for users and operators.
What to Expect in 2025
Looking ahead, Zambia’s betting market is expected to grow even more in 2025. Urban areas have embraced sports betting, but rural areas are expected to grow as mobile networks and internet access improve. Betting platforms are likely to reach these new customers. With better internet speeds, live betting during games and live streaming of events will become more popular. This will make sports betting even more exciting and interactive.
As more people bet on sports, there will be a stronger focus on responsible gambling. This means offering resources and tools to help people who may have gambling problems. Betting on things like eSports and virtual sports could become more common. These types of betting could attract new customers, especially younger people.
Challenges for Zambia’s Betting Market
Although Zambia’s betting market is growing, there are still some challenges:
- Regulations: The government needs to make sure that betting rules are followed fairly. New rules or changes in enforcement could affect the market.
- Problem Gambling: As more people join the betting market, there is a risk of people becoming addicted to gambling. It will be important to promote safe betting practices.
- Internet Issues: Even though internet access is improving, some areas still have problems. This could limit the growth of the market in some parts of the country.
What the Future Holds for Zambia’s Betting Market
In 2024, Zambia’s sports betting market grew a lot, thanks to a young smartphone-using population, and cheap internet. Looking ahead to 2025, the market is set to keep growing. More opportunities for people to bet on sports and new options will become available.
Betting apps will continue to improve, making it easier and safer to enjoy sports betting. With the right regulations and a focus on responsible gambling, Zambia can become a leader in sports betting in Africa.