South Africa is the biggest licensed betting market in Africa.
Virgin Wager, operated by LiveScore Group, has launched operations in South Africa, marking the corporate’s first growth exterior the UK market.
The brand new platform, accessible by way of Virginbet.co.za, is a part of LiveScore Group’s broader technique to broaden its presence in Africa, the corporate mentioned on Monday.
It will likely be operated out of LiveScore Group’s present betting operations in Nigeria alongside its LiveScore Wager product.
Africa’s largest regulated playing market
South Africa stands as Africa’s largest regulated playing market, overseen by each provincial and nationwide regulatory our bodies.
The Nationwide Playing Board (NGB) of South Africa says 1.5 trillion South African Rand ($89 billion) was wagered within the nation over the 2024/2025 monetary 12 months, 31.3% larger than within the prior monetary 12 months.
The betting sector accounted for 75% of that sum whereas casinos contributed 19.5%. Restricted payout machines (LPMs) and bingo made up 3.6% and 1.8%, respectively. The playing sector employed about 34,316 individuals by 2024, the NGB has mentioned .
Nonetheless, South Africa’s Nationwide Treasury has proposed the introduction of a 20% levy tax framework for on-line playing, signalling a shift towards extra structured and probably larger taxation of digital betting actions. The sector has largely pushed again towards this.
Accountable playing on the core
The operator confirmed the brand new web site would implement a number of participant security options, together with deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion choices. Age verification processes and a devoted native buyer help crew can even be in place to make sure compliance and help customers.
Gail Odgers, head of promoting for Virgin Wager South Africa mentioned of the launch: “We’re targeted on constructing belief and introducing Virgin Wager in a approach that South Africans can really feel assured in.”
The corporate has additionally pledged to provoke additional native company social duty (CSR) tasks geared toward selling safer playing practices throughout the neighborhood.
The South African platform goals to serve the nation’s substantial and quickly rising sports activities betting market, with a give attention to standard sports activities reminiscent of soccer, rugby and cricket.
“Whether or not it’s soccer, rugby or cricket, sport is a part of on a regular basis dialog. That zeal is what makes this market so thrilling for us,” Odgers added.
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