Like many other regions, Africa has widely opened its doors to the online gambling industry. Leading operators have taken notice of this trend, which explains why many of them have shifted their focus to the African continent. According to GlobeNewswire, the continent’s gambling market stands at $6.10 billion and is expected to jump to $11.27 billion by 2032.
If things go as predicted, the industry will have expanded by more than a 7% compound annual growth rate. That’s why forward-thinking operators, such as Jackpot City online casino, are eyeing this market. At a time when the global market has become super competitive, capturing the African audience represents not just growth, but a strategic advantage. But again, it’s worth noting that you won’t stand out here just because you offer convenient access to games.
African gamblers, like players everywhere, seek more than just convenience. They crave experiences that feel engaging and trustworthy. If they are to remain loyal, they must be sure your platform is secure and easy to navigate; otherwise, they may opt to turn to competitors. Thankfully, operators, like Jackpot City online casino, targeting this audience are aware of these preferences and are working hard to cater to them.
Catering to the growing need for safe online interaction
In Africa, detections of spyware attacks increased by 14% between 2023 and 2024, according to Kaspersky. If that’s not enough, INTERPOL says suspected scam notifications have increased by up to 3,000% in some countries on the continent. As these attacks become more common, internet users, including gamblers, are becoming increasingly cautious about where they spend their time online.
In fact, a good number of them will often survey a platform’s security before doing business with it. Suppose it lacks an SSL certificate. In that case, the platform may fail to appeal to 85% of users, who, according to Sci-Tech Today, often feel more secure when engaging with an SSL-secured website. However, since no one is willing to miss out on such a large audience, operators like Jackpot City online casino have heavily invested in robust encryption protocols.
Others incorporate two-factor authentication (2FA) to enhance their security further. With 2FA, a user’s account can remain secure even if their password is compromised. While that might sound simple, Microsoft says this infrastructure can block almost all (99.9%) automated attacks.
The idea of strengthening digital security is to ensure players engage with peace of mind. When they see your commitment to protecting their data, they feel valued and respected, which builds trust and encourages long-term loyalty. In this way, industry-leading operators have a stronger and more resilient foothold in the African market.
Adapting to the surge in mobile usage
Mobile phones are the primary means by which most Africans access the internet. According to Statista, 74% of the continent’s web traffic comes from these devices. In the digital gambling sector, this trend is even more pronounced. As Business Insider Africa notes, 94% of gambles are placed using mobile devices. The breakthroughs in smartphone technology have made it possible for players to access entertainment anytime, anywhere.
Think of it as being able to spin a reel in your favourite slot game on the go or during those in-between moments life throws at you. With such convenience, gambling shifts from just being a stationary activity to a seamless part of daily life. As an operator interested in this market, you definitely would not want to miss out on this trend.
That explains why Jackpot City online casino and other companies have adopted responsive design in their websites. With a responsive design, you enable every aspect of your website to function optimally on small-screen devices, eliminating the need for users to pinch or zoom in. Data from WPDean shows that these frameworks have a higher conversion rate of up to 11% than non-responsive designs.
Of course, when users struggle to navigate or encounter glitches on their mobile devices, they often leave, sometimes permanently. On the other hand, an interface that works well across all devices demonstrates your commitment to providing excellent customer experiences, which in turn enhances your competitiveness.
Prioritizing seamless experiences at all points
Beyond mobile optimization and security, African players increasingly expect seamless experiences that extend beyond simply placing bets. Take payment methods, for instance. If your payment system is slow and problematic, you may discourage a good number of them from ever connecting with your platform. Data from Testlio shows that over six in ten users will abandon a platform just because of a problematic checkout.
However, according to the institution, if you make the transaction processes seamless, you can boost conversions by as much as 15%. That’s why Jackpot online casino and other operators targeting the African market are at the forefront of offering seamless payment experiences. Another way they’re improving their competitiveness is by diversifying the payment methods.
In a sector worth $6.10 billion, you expect payment preferences to vary significantly. Therefore, if the selection of your payment methods is limited, some users may feel excluded and opt to gamble elsewhere, where their preferences are better catered to. Leading operators, including Jackpot City online casino, are well aware of this; no wonder they have diversified their transaction methods.
In short, the key to dominating the African gambling market is providing experiences that cater to the needs of the modern gambler. For instance, optimizing your platform for mobile can help improve your appeal to the growing number of on-the-go players. Improving digital security and offering seamless payments also makes a platform feel more customer-centric, increasing its competitiveness.
