Super Group calls for fair betting taxation in Africa as Betway expansion accelerates in 2026
Betway’s parent company warns that overtaxing operators risks driving players to unlicenced platforms, while highlighting ongoing growth across African markets.
Ghana.- Super Group, the parent company of Betway, warns that overtaxing operators could push players to unlicenced platforms, as it expands further into African markets in 2026. With Africa now generating 40 per cent of its revenue, the company says fair and balanced regulation is essential to safeguard the industry and support ongoing growth.
Highlighting the risks of high taxation, Super Group CEO, Neal Menashe, said that excessive levies could harm the regulated sector. “We see the ideal tax sweet spot at 15 to 25 per cent of net gaming revenue. When governments overtax at 30 or 40 per cent, customers then turn to the black market, which pays no tax and does not follow responsible gaming practices,” he said, according to Bloomberg.
Menashe said that Super Group carefully navigates government regulations in each market. “But really navigating those government regulations – how you have to set up your businesses in those markets, and what the tax rates are – we work with the governments in each of the markets we’re in and try to get a fair and reasonable tax rate. And if we can’t, well then we don’t operate there,” he said.
Super Group also emphasises fiscal contributions to the markets where it operates. Menashe added: “We pay gaming tax, VAT, withholding tax and corporate tax. Plus, our Betway Cares Foundation gives back to communities. In South Africa alone, we employ over 2,000 people, with additional teams in Ghana, Nigeria and other African markets.”
Tax and regulation challenges in Africa
Recent tax increases across Africa highlight the changing regulatory and taxation landscape. In Senegal, a 20 per cent levy now applies to land-based and online play, while South Africa may see proposed combined online betting taxes reach 26-29 per cent. Zimbabwe increased operator taxes to 20 per cent and withholding on player winnings to 25 per cent, and The Gambia raised its tax on gambling winnings from 40 per cent to 50 per cent.
Menashe said that sustainable growth in Africa requires customer focus and regulatory compliance. “This business is all about customer first. The customer is at the centre of every single thing we have to do, and then it’s all about the product, the localisation of our product, the payment mechanisms and navigating each tax and regulatory regime to offer a safe and secure environment for our customers,” he said.
Marketing efficiency and scale are also critical to making regulated operations profitable. Menashe added: “What you see today in Africa is literally a return on marketing investment from day one. The company also leverages cost efficiencies by operating across multiple markets, rather than a single country.”
