In recent years, there has been an increase in sports wagering and other types of gaming across East Africa, notably in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. This part of the world represents a significant market that remains mostly untapped, yet the availability of technology and number of sports shops has led to a rise in Uganda.
Sports Shops in Uganda
Uganda is a nation that loves sports, especially football. Sports wagering is also now on the increase. Many cities, towns and even villages now having sports shops. Take Kampala, which has 736 gaming venues, according to the National Gaming Board Uganda, 583 of which are above board.
The people of Uganda will reportedly put their money on nearly any football event, from the Premier League to Albanian football. According to researcher Sylvan Herskowitz, the average wager in Uganda is around 2,000 shillings or $0.50. He also points out that Uganda needs more public services to support the ballooning gaming industry, to help to encourage responsible gaming and reduce social issues.
While Uganda failed to qualify, events like the World Cup traditionally cause a spike in the number of sports wagers taken, and this time was no different. East Africans spurred on by nations like Nigeria’s success as well as by their interest in European and International sides and players and placed their money in shops and online.
Tech and Online Rise
Technology has been a significant factor when it comes to the rise of wagering and online gaming across Uganda and East Africa in general. As more of the continent gets better access the internet, players are able to participate in online apps for sports wagering and gaming where options are unlimited and there are always games to put money on.
The improvement in access to satellite and digital TV allows sports shops to show games, and for punters to gain more interest in sports while the internet allows companies to set up bookmaker systems and punters to review odds.
An increasing number of people across Africa are also using smartphones, giving easier access to the internet and to online bookies. According to a 2018 report, 24.8 million people in Uganda, over 70 percent of the population, owning mobile phones, and 15.8 percent of the total population own smartphones.
In Uganda, online poker and casinos are legitimate, as are bookies, but all online companies operating in the country must pay 20 percent tax on their income, and players must pay 15 percent tax on their winnings. There aren’t many sites exclusively for Ugandans, but players can join international sites such as PokerStars, where they can play with others from across the world for massive prizes.
Though sports shops are increasing in Uganda, with hundreds of small ones now in operation in Kampala alone, the online market still has a long way to go. The cost of mobile phones is still high, and only 12 percent of the population has accessed the internet within 12 months, which have something to do with the electricity issues. The wagering and online gaming markets are expected to continue growing with the expansion of technology.
