Angola’s Land-Based Betting Surges While Online Platforms Struggle
Angola’s gambling market is experiencing a striking divergence between land-based and online betting. According to recent data by the Institute for the Supervision of Gaming (ISJ), physical betting outlets drove a 274% year-on-year revenue increase in Q3 2025, while online betting plummeted 54%, falling from Kz 2.047 billion to Kz 933 million.
Land-based betting is thriving across Angola, fueled by 257 outlets operated by four major companies. Revenue for Q3 2025 reached Kz4.734 billion (€4.43 million), compared to Kz1.267 billion (€1.18 million) in the same period last year. This growth is fueled by accessibility in areas with limited internet, widespread acceptance of cash transactions, and low entry costs, with minimum stakes as low as Kz 100 (€0.09).
The broader sector presents a nuanced picture. Total gaming revenue for the quarter reached Kz 6.835 billion, a 75.1% increase over Q3 2024. While gaming taxes surged nearly 80%, parafiscal revenues including supervision fees, license fees, and fines fell 28.5%, totaling Kz 115 million.
The boom in land-based gambling was largely driven by income from gambling (IEJ) surging 727%, from Kz 331 million to Kz 2.737 billion, reflecting the growth of low-value bets in kiosks across popular neighborhoods, a trend economists have called a “risky democratization” of gambling access. Meanwhile, games of chance recovered 147%, from Kz 426 million to Kz 1.053 billion.
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Despite strong growth, Angola’s gambling market remains oligopolistic. According to Revista Outside, no new operators entered Q3 2025, suggesting that high licensing costs, bank guarantees, and bureaucratic hurdles continue to limit competition. Average monthly tax revenue stood at Kz 2.240 billion, while parafiscal revenue averaged Kz 38.3 million, comprising supervision fees, miscellaneous fees, fines, and authorizations with zero new licenses issued during the quarter. Historical patterns also show that revenues are unevenly distributed, typically peaking at the end of the quarter and dipping during slower months.
Angola’s pattern contrasts sharply with other African markets and Europe, where online betting is typically the fastest-growing segment. Local realities such as cash reliance, limited internet access, and a cultural preference for in-person betting reinforce the dominance of land-based outlets. Nevertheless, the sector has continued to show strong potential, with total revenues surpassing 10 billion kwanzas in 2023 and continued employment growth.
