MTN flags rise of online gambling
MTN reports a significant shift towards online gambling in Africa, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences.Summary
MTN, Africa’s largest mobile operator, has observed a “structural” shift in the gambling industry towards online betting. CEO Ralph Mupita noted that disposable income is increasingly being allocated to online gambling and gaming, a trend seen across multiple markets. The National Gambling Board’s (NGB) report confirms this, citing technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences as key drivers. Online slots have shown significant growth, potentially substituting physical slot machines. Data indicates that online betting accounted for R44 billion of the total R74.5 billion gross gambling revenue in South Africa. Absa’s Merchant Spend Report shows online gambling’s share of card spending more than doubled between 2022 and 2024, reaching 58%, and further increased to 61% by June 2025. This growth coincides with a period of financial strain for many South Africans, despite some signs of financial adaptation.
(Source：Itweb)