Golden Race handled eight out of ten virtual bets across Africa in 2018, totaling nearly 3.5 billion tickets<\/strong>. Horse racing, mainly at venues like Kenya\u2019s Ngong Racecourse<\/strong>, operates on a smaller scale. Monthly maintenance costs for owners there average around KSh40,000<\/strong> (about \u20ac280) per horse, while prize money per race stands at KSh60,000<\/strong> (about \u20ac420).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ngong remains the only thoroughbred track in Kenya and hosts regular meetings (around 25 per year)<\/strong>, but the sport lacks the widespread infrastructure found in other parts of Africa. Annual revenues from horse racing betting at Ngong are estimated to be well below US$5m<\/strong> (\u20ac4.6m), based on limited event frequency, small prize pools and niche participation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Operators including Betway and SportyBet<\/strong> have expanded their apps to feature virtual sports. In Tanzania, a market with steadily rising gambling activity, these products are driving growth in the online sector. Online sports betting is projected at around US$9.8m<\/strong> (\u20ac9.1m) in 2025, with overall igaming (including virtual elements) expected to reach about US$7.37m<\/strong> (\u20ac6.8m) in some forecasts for the year, growing toward US$11m\u201315m<\/strong> later in the decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kenyan bettors staked KSh88.5bn <\/strong>(\u20ac619.5m) online in the year ending June 2023<\/strong>, generating KSh6.6bn<\/strong> (\u20ac46.2m) in excise taxes for the government. For many young Kenyans, who spend an average of KSh1,550<\/strong> (about \u20ac10.85) per month on bets, virtual sports provides quick entertainment linked to familiar games like football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rise of virtual sports betting is fuelled by mobile phones and payment systems like M-Pesa<\/strong>, allowing bets at any time without relying on traditional schedules. In Kenya, about 50 per cent <\/strong>of young adults participate, often placing small, quick wagers on games that last only minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Martin Wachter<\/strong>, CEO of Golden Race, explained the demand, saying: \u201cVirtual sports is extremely high [in demand]. It\u2019s the only continent where betting shops open because they want to have the virtuals.\u201d He added that in Africa, virtual products account for the largest share of betting income, ahead of casino games and traditional sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dolan Beuthin<\/strong>, CEO of BetMonsta, said: \u201cThe biggest money spinner in Africa is virtuals. Forget about casino and sports.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/01\/photo-1570498839593-e565b39455fc-300x200.jpg\")
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