Ghana is officially establishing itself as one of the world’s most promising iGaming markets, earning recognition as one of the top four emerging international gambling markets in 2026, alongside Brazil, Peru, and India, as reported by Affiverse Media. This milestone is a first for Africa and represents a turning point in how the continent is perceived within the global gaming ecosystem.
The country’s iGaming transformation gained momentum in 2025, when Parliament removed the 10% withholding tax on betting and lottery winnings and abolished the 1% Electronic Transfer Levy. These measures lowered participation costs for players, restored consumer confidence, and boosted betting activity. At the same time, they sent a clear signal to international operators and investors that Ghana’s market is stable, well-regulated, and ready for growth.
Lamtiig Apanga, Ag. Deputy Chief Executive Officer at of the Gaming Commission of Ghana, in a recent interview with Mary Wanja, Content Manager at iGaming AFRIKA, described how public sentiment, especially among youth, influenced recent reform, such as abolishing the 10 % betting tax. He pointed out that removing barriers to participation “grows the base and attracts investors,” and stressed ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable groups through awareness campaigns and enforcement near schools and community spaces. “There was a survey conducted across the country, and one of the key concerns from the youth was the burden of the betting tax, ” Apanga explained. “They felt it limited their access to a form of entertainment, particularly in a context where other areas of life are already frustrating.”
With the tax barrier removed, Ghana is now seeing increased participation in gaming activities, a trend Lamtiig said is encouraging both for local operators and foreign investors eyeing the Ghanaian market. “Every investor looks at market volume. When you remove barriers to consumption, you grow the base, and that becomes attractive to businesses,” he said, highlighting the immediate uptick in participation and investor confidence since the policy change.
One of Ghana’s most significant advantages is its mobile-first infrastructure. According to the Ghana iGaming Market Research Report by iGaming Today , approximately 95% of all iGaming activity in Ghana occurs on mobile devices. This reflects the centrality of smartphones and mobile money services to the sector. The country’s widespread mobile internet adoption which accounts for more than 95% of web traffic coupled with millions of active mobile money accounts, has enabled seamless participation even in regions with limited traditional connectivity.
Young Ghanaians, who make up roughly 57% of the population, form the core of the iGaming audience, increasingly engaging with digital sports betting, online lotteries, and emerging skill-based and esports platforms. Innovations such as USSD-based betting, exemplified by Betika Ghana’s *263# service, have expanded access further and demonstrated how technological adaptation is bridging urban-rural divides.
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As the market expands, Ghana has placed a strong emphasis on responsible gaming and compliance. The Ghana Gaming Commission introduced mandatory biometric verification linked to national IDs, reducing fraud, preventing underage participation, and maintaining consumer trust. Operators have also incorporated gamification and responsible-play features that encourage users to set deposit limits and take breaks, blending compliance with engagement. The Commission has also stepped up enforcement to ensure operators comply with regulations regarding the location and operation of gambling businesses.
In early 2025, it announced a crackdown on betting firms operating in close proximity to schools, churches, mosques, and other places of worship, citing concerns about exposure of minors and vulnerable community members. Facilities that violate zoning restrictions risk penalties, licence refusal, or closure. The crackdown coincided with evidence that roughly 41.7% of Ghanaians engaged in sports betting, positioning the country among Africa’s most active markets.
While smaller than South Africa or Nigeria in absolute size, Ghana’s iGaming sector is experiencing strong momentum and profitability. Total iGaming revenue according to independent reports, was projected at approximately $915.94 million in 2025, with forecasts indicating continued growth in active users and mobile engagement. Sports betting remains the dominant segment, while digital lotteries, skill-based games, and live casino platforms are rapidly gaining traction.
Ghana has also made significant strides in digital asset regulation, passing the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill in 2025, which establishes a clear legal framework for cryptocurrency trading and digital asset businesses. The law ends years of regulatory ambiguity that left crypto activities in a gray area, despite widespread adoption. By 2023–2024, more than 3 million Ghanaians roughly 9% of the population, or 17% of adults were estimated to have traded over $3 billion in cryptocurrencies. This regulated framework has further opened up new opportunities for crypto-enabled gaming and fintech integration in the country.
Industry experts and participants in discussions on Africa’s most promising gaming markets, including webinars hosted by iGaming AFRIKA, often highlight Ghana as a test case for smart regulation and market-driven growth. They praise its combination of regulatory clarity, digital innovation, and investment appeal. Industry observers have also noted that the country is “not just keeping pace, it is setting new standards for African iGaming.”
