Talk us through how Africa and the markets you're involved in have developed since the start of 2020 – how have the last two years’ developments shaped playing habits and the continent’s online growth?
Africa is unique in that the region has historically favored a physical POS option where bettors can withdraw their winnings in person. Because of the pandemic, this had to change for everyone’s safety.
Here at Altenar, people are at the forefront of what we do and why we do it. Our innovation in sports betting software and technology is designed to make the experience fun, easy, and smooth for both operators and bettors. Africa presented a unique situation that required our technology to adapt to its needs throughout the pandemic.
One key aspect of this was creating a mobile-lite version of our software because data consumption in Africa is often far more expensive than in neighboring regions like Europe. So, Altenar had to adapt its software accordingly—a need that became even more critical during the pandemic to keep users engaged and hopeful, and to offer them a bit of the normalcy they were used to before COVID.
I believe Altenar’s software achieved this for many people while also preparing for what was to come—such as the increased adoption of Esports and virtual gaming, both of which the pandemic accelerated significantly.
Retail has always been a strong tradition across the continent—how has this shifted during lockdowns, and do you expect most jurisdictions to return to pre-COVID habits?
There has been some return to previous behavior, but in areas where online gambling is legal, the desire to go back to in-person betting hasn’t fully rebounded. With the rise of Esports, which don’t rely on live events or stadium access, many former retail players have come to prefer the convenience of online betting.
That tradition of retail is still reflected in online gambling, iGaming, and sports betting—it’s just taken a different form. Think about how few people expected online shopping to grow as it has; today, many prefer shopping from the comfort of home. Gambling is moving in the same direction post-pandemic.
Where do virtuals and lottery fit into the sports betting mix now? Will live sports remain the dominant acquisition tool, or are other offerings gaining traction?
Lottery is very popular in some countries, and in certain cases, lotteries operate multiple verticals—sports betting, casino, and more—depending on national laws. However, sports betting remains the most popular and highest-revenue vertical globally, according to our recent reports available via Altenar’s website.
Virtual betting could rival this, but it often mimics sports betting principles—just without the need for real-life events. Altenar anticipated this growth during the pandemic and recently partnered with Oddin to enhance our virtual betting offering.
We’re currently in a new wave, and it’s an exciting time in the industry. Virtual gaming is seeing increased demand and could follow a similar trajectory to sports betting, making it a perfect fit for Altenar.
How quickly is the tech environment evolving in Africa when it comes to connectivity, streaming, and smartphone adoption? Do you expect mobile to dominate over retail soon?
Very dominant. Smartphone usage and mobile app demand are growing rapidly in Africa. With better internet penetration, this will likely lead to even wider adoption of sports betting, stronger data infrastructure, and a further shift to online, which is already visible post-pandemic.
We hope Altenar’s lite software version has played a role in bridging the tech gap and enriching the digital environment. Access to technology can open up more than just betting opportunities—it can boost access to education and improve communication with family and friends.
Looking at key markets—where do you see the strongest growth in the coming years? Will South Africa and Nigeria remain dominant?
There’s growth potential across Africa, especially as more countries move to legalize sports betting or other forms of online gambling.
For now, South Africa and Nigeria are likely to see the most growth because of the existing iGaming infrastructure. Still, we anticipate broader adoption of online gambling across the continent, driven by the success already demonstrated in key markets.
Looking at Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya—how much energy and resources are you allocating to these markets? How do you view the current regulatory environment?
We’re investing significant energy and resources into these markets as we aim to expand Altenar’s software footprint in the region. When it comes to regulation, Altenar is well-positioned to understand the legal frameworks surrounding online gambling. Ensuring compliance is essential to protect both bettors and operators, and this shapes how we approach development for each region.
One thing we always look forward to is problem-solving—something that can drive regulatory improvements while cultivating local partnerships. We’re excited about the potential in emerging markets like Equatorial Guinea and look forward to what’s ahead.
