Betpawa Exits Senegal as African iGaming Alliance Launches to Tackle Regulation

Betpawa has pulled out of Senegal, citing what it calls excessive regulatory pressure that has created an uneven playing field for licensed operators. The exit clears the way for Sunubet, which already enjoys overwhelming brand awareness and market share in the country, to consolidate its position further.

In neighbouring markets, Betpawa continues to perform strongly. The brand leads in Zambia and Tanzania with consistent visibility, while SportyBet holds the number one spot in Ghana. In Cameroon, Betpawa has also established a firm foothold.

The development comes as major operators seek to coordinate their approach to the challenges of Africa’s fragmented gambling landscape. Betway, Betpawa, 888Africa and SportyBet have come together to form the African iGaming Alliance (AIA). The group has appointed Peter Kesitilwe, former head of Botswana’s gambling regulator, as its first chief executive.

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The AIA wants to press for greater harmonisation of gambling rules across the continent, resist sudden tax increases, and take aim at unlicensed operators. Another priority will be exploring solutions to high transaction costs, including the potential use of cryptocurrency.

Regulation is shifting quickly across Africa. In Kenya, players will now face a 5% withholding tax on withdrawals from betting wallets, replacing the previous system that taxed winnings directly. Nigeria has begun enforcing new rules that require all online operators to be licensed, while also tightening anti-money laundering checks and demanding stronger player protection measures.

Together, these changes point to a fast-moving industry where regulatory frameworks and market leaders can shift quickly — and where collaboration, as seen with the AIA, may be the next step in shaping Africa’s iGaming future.

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