The data, collected in February 2025, provides insights into global gambling trends and highlights the nations where online betting is most prevalent.

Norway tops the list, with 30.2% of its internet users engaging in online gambling, closely followed by South Africa at 30.0%.

New Zealand, Greece, and Hungary also feature prominently, indicating a widespread gambling culture in these regions.

The findings suggest that online gambling continues to grow worldwide, with several European, African, and South American countries showing significant engagement.

Factors such as regulatory frameworks, cultural attitudes towards betting, and the availability of digital gambling platforms likely contribute to these numbers.

According to the National Gambling Board, South Africans spent R1.1 trillion in the local gambling industry between April 2023 and March 2024, with gross gambling revenue rising 25.7% to R59.3 billion.

The relationship between gambling and economic hardship has become increasingly apparent.

The youth are significantly more affected by unemployment with an alarming 45.5% of people aged 15-34 being unemployed in South Africa between July to September 2024.

With these factors in play, the high engagement of young people in online betting becomes more understandable.

However, Sports betting in Nigeria dates back to the colonial era, with the government introducing “Pool betting” in the 1920s.

This laid the foundation for the industry’s growth, which gained momentum with the establishment of the Nigerian Football Pools Association (NFPA) in the 1950s.

According to the National Lottery Trust Fund, Nigeria’s betting industry is one of the largest in Africa, with an estimated market value exceeding $2bn in 2023.

A report by Statista suggests nearly 60 million Nigerians, primarily aged between 18 and 40, engage in betting activities regularly

While some argue that online gambling provides entertainment and economic benefits, concerns remain regarding addiction, financial risks, and the need for stricter regulations.

As digital betting platforms expand, governments may need to implement policies to ensure responsible gambling and protect vulnerable users.