Sports betting has grown at a remarkable pace across Africa over the past decade. From Lagos to Nairobi, Accra to Johannesburg, millions of fans are placing wagers on football, cricket, rugby, and basketball every week. But with hundreds of betting sites competing for attention, choosing the right one is not always straightforward.
The right sportsbook needs to do more than offer competitive odds. It must support local payment methods, hold a valid license, provide mobile-friendly access, and offer customer support that actually responds. This guide breaks down the top sportsbooks for African bettors based on those exact criteria.
What Makes a Sportsbook Right for African Bettors
Before jumping into individual platforms, it helps to understand what separates a reliable betting site from a mediocre one in the African context.
Local payment support is a top priority. Many global platforms ignore M-Pesa, MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money, or Ozow. For bettors in Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, or South Africa, these are everyday tools. A sportsbook that does not support them creates unnecessary friction.
Mobile optimization matters enormously. A large percentage of African internet users access the web exclusively through smartphones, often on slower 3G connections. A site with a bloated interface or no dedicated app will lose users quickly.
Licensing and regulation separate trustworthy platforms from fly-by-night operators. Licensed sportsbooks in Africa typically hold approvals from bodies like the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) in Nigeria, the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board in South Africa, or the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) in Kenya.
Sports journalist Emmanuel Amankwah, who covers the African betting industry for BettingAfrica.net, puts it clearly: “African bettors deserve the same level of consumer protection and product quality as bettors in Europe. The good news is that several platforms have genuinely invested in building for this market, not just translating their European product.”
Betway Africa
Betway has built one of the strongest presences on the continent. It operates separate, locally licensed platforms in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana, which means each version complies with local gambling regulations rather than relying on an offshore license.
The platform covers over 30 sports, with deep football markets including the Premier League, CAF Champions League, and local leagues like the NPFL in Nigeria and the GFA Premier League in Ghana. Cash-out functionality is available on most pre-match and live bets.
In South Africa, Betway supports Ozow, PayFast, and instant EFT. In Kenya and Nigeria, M-Pesa and local bank transfers are standard. The mobile app, available on Android and iOS, is consistently rated among the fastest and most stable in its category.
SportPesa
SportPesa has a deep history in East Africa, having launched in Kenya in 2014 before expanding to Tanzania and beyond. Despite a period of suspension in Kenya between 2019 and 2021 due to a tax dispute with the government, it returned stronger with updated features and improved odds.
The platform is particularly strong on football and virtual sports, two categories that drive the majority of betting volume in East Africa. M-Pesa integration is seamless, with instant deposits and withdrawals that usually process within minutes. SportPesa also runs a jackpot product that has paid out millions of shillings to Kenyan winners, which has helped build significant brand loyalty.
Hollywoodbets
For South African bettors specifically, Hollywoodbets is a household name. Founded in Durban in the 1990s, it has grown into one of the continent’s largest betting companies with physical shops across South Africa plus an active online platform.
Horse racing markets at Hollywoodbets are among the most detailed available anywhere in Africa. The platform also covers cricket, rugby, football, and tennis with competitive odds. Its Lucky Numbers game, a uniquely South African betting format based on lottery draws from countries like Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique, is wildly popular with local bettors who treat it almost as a cultural tradition.
Customer support operates 24/7 via phone, email, and live chat, which is a meaningful differentiator in a market where many platforms leave queries unanswered for days.
1xBet Africa
1xBet has become one of the most widely used sportsbooks across West and Central Africa, particularly in Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. Its biggest selling point is sheer market depth. The platform lists odds on thousands of events daily, including niche sports like table tennis, darts, and eSports that most local competitors ignore.
1xBet supports mobile money across multiple African countries and offers a generous welcome bonus that has attracted millions of new users. However, bettors should note that 1xBet operates in many African countries through a Curacao license rather than a local one, which means the level of regulatory protection varies by country.
Parimatch Africa
Parimatch has quietly built a strong reputation in Uganda, Tanzania, and parts of Southern Africa. Its live betting interface is regarded by many regular bettors as one of the cleanest and fastest available, with odds updating in real time without page refreshes.
The platform covers European football comprehensively while also offering decent markets on African domestic leagues. MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money integrations make it accessible for bettors who prefer not to use bank cards.
Key Things to Check Before You Register
Regardless of which platform you choose, a few checks are worth doing before depositing any money. Confirm the site holds a license visible in the footer. Read the terms on bonus wagering requirements, since some bonuses come with conditions that make them nearly impossible to withdraw. Test customer support with a simple question before you actually need urgent help.
As South African odds analyst Zanele Mokoena noted in a 2024 interview with OddsPortal: “The best sportsbook is the one that pays out without drama. Odds matter, bonuses matter, but a smooth withdrawal experience is what keeps bettors coming back.”
Final Thoughts
The African sports betting market in 2026 is competitive, well-regulated in many countries, and genuinely improving in terms of product quality. Betway and Hollywoodbets lead for reliability and local licensing. SportPesa remains the go-to for East African bettors. 1xBet offers the widest selection for those comfortable with international licensing. And Parimatch is a strong challenger worth watching.
Choose based on your country, your preferred payment method, and the sports you follow. Do your research, bet responsibly, and make sure the platform you pick is legally authorized to operate where you live.
