Why betting agents still matter across Africa, and where operators see risk
An iGaming Business feature published on 29 October 2026 quotes three industry figures who say agent networks that take cash bets still reach people online operators do not. They also describe the risks: agents holding cash, thin margins after higher taxes, and competition from unlicensed operators.
South Africa has a large licensed retail betting sector alongside fast-growing mobile betting, and the National Gambling Board says online casino games are not licensed here. The feature is about Africa more widely, mainly Kenya and Mozambique, but it explains why cash, trust and mobile money shape how people gamble across the continent, and why regulators in this region worry about unlicensed operators.
What the feature says
The article draws on interviews with Martin Nieri of the online operator 888AFRICA, Hydah Okinda of the slot studio Endorphina, and consultant Andrew Osieko, who has managed accounts for Kenyan betting shop agent networks. All three argue that agents, who may run shops, street kiosks or walk around signing people up, are a separate channel rather than a fading one.
Nieri attributes this to trust: he says many customers have little faith in banks and institutions and value seeing a person, handing over money and getting a ticket. Okinda says some older customers without smartphones still prefer cash in a shop.
The risks they describe
The same speakers list the downsides. Osieko says an agent who holds cash could run off with it, and that security deposits are less common now because unlicensed operators offer agents easier terms. Okinda recalls that Kenya's 2019 rise in betting excise duty from 10 per cent to 20 per cent squeezed margins, leaving a typical split closer to 50/50 than the old 80/20, and that shops have faced robberies. Nieri adds that age and identity checks are hard to enforce across a large agent network.
These are the opinions of the people quoted, as reported by iGaming Business. We have not verified the figures independently.
What it means for South African players
The feature is a reminder to check who you are paying. A licensed South African bookmaker or casino shows its provincial licence. A person or website offering to take bets or casino deposits without one gives you no recourse if money goes missing. Our responsible gambling page lists where to get help.
What to watch next
The speakers disagree about the future: Osieko expects regulation to push retail toward unlicensed operators, while Nieri expects agent networks to grow. Tax and compliance changes across African markets will decide who is right.