Africa’s betting momentum builds ahead of Christmas as AFCON 2025 set to kick off
Bookmakers report surging activity as Morocco hosts the tournament for the first time over the festive period.
Morocco.- Africa’s regulated betting industry is bracing for one of its busiest periods of the year as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 kicks off on December 21 in Morocco, with the host nation’s opening match set against Comoros.
For the first time in tournament history, AFCON will run over the Christmas and New Year period, adding a festive boost to fan engagement and wagering activity across the continent.
With 24 nations competing until January 18, 2026, sportsbooks report rising early interest, with bettors placing wagers on group-stage outcomes, match results and long-term markets. Analysts say the combination of holiday leisure and high-profile international football is creating one of Africa’s most lucrative betting windows, particularly across regulated online platforms and retail outlets.
Operators are moving quickly to capitalise on the AFCON buzz. Bet9ja, Betway, SuperSportBet, SportPesa, SportyBet, Betika, Hollywoodbets, BetKing, Premier Bet and betPawa have launched AFCON-specific campaigns offering odds boosts, free bets, and fan-experience prizes – including trips to Morocco for selected customers.
These platforms serve regulated markets across Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Ethiopia and beyond, highlighting the tournament’s continental reach.
AFCON 2025 betting boom
BetKing emphasised the fan engagement potential of AFCON. “AFCON is a unifying force across the continent, and this campaign allows our customers to experience that unity and excitement firsthand,” the operator said.
Betway said: “Each game in the tournament offers a variety of markets to choose from, including predictions for outcomes such as the match winner, goal scorers and the final score.” It added that fans can also place wagers on outright markets, group winners, double chance, draw no bet, correct score and total goals, among others.
SuperSportBet highlighted the scale and festive timing of the event. “The 2025 AFCON is expected to be like no other as the 24 best nations are set to light up African football from December 21 to January 18. This is set to be one for the books, as there’s no better way to close the year than with continental rivalries, packed stadiums and high-stakes bets,” said the operator.
Industry observers predict that in-play wagering will account for the largest share of tournament bets, with stakes increasing as matches progress.
According to leading bookmakers including Betway, BetKing, betPawa and SuperSportBet, host nation Morocco has emerged as the clear favourite to lift the AFCON 2025 title on home soil, followed by Egypt, Algeria and Senegal.
Across online forums and social media, African bettors are actively sharing predictions, odds insights and platform experiences, reflecting a maturing and highly engaged betting culture.
As Africa’s premier football tournament kicks off during a festive first, AFCON 2025 is shaping up not just as a sporting spectacle but as a defining moment for Africa’s regulated betting industry, showcasing growth, innovation and high-stakes engagement across multiple markets.
Africa enters AFCON 2025 with betting momentum firmly in play, underlining the sector’s growing role in the continent’s sports economy.
