*Gaming Tech Summit Africa Charts the Future as Continent’s Betting Market Nears $20B*

*Nairobi, 3 June 2026* — Africa’s gaming and betting industry has outgrown its reputation as pure entertainment. It’s now a major economic and regulatory force, and that shift took center stage at this year’s Gaming Tech Summit Africa in Nairobi.

By Wilson Omondi 

With the continent’s online betting and gaming market projected to grow from $12.7 billion in 2026 to $19.4 billion by 2030, the stakes are high. The sector is increasingly shaping debates on taxation, public revenue, digital payments, investor confidence, consumer protection, and the cost of leaving markets unregulated.

Against that backdrop, the third edition of the Gaming Tech Summit Africa brought regulators, policymakers, operators, investors, tech providers, legal experts, payment firms, and industry associations to the Argyle Grand Hotel for what may be the most consequential conversation on African gaming this year.

Held under the theme _“Building Africa’s Sustainable & Scalable Gaming Tech Industry,”_ the summit opened at a defining moment. Mobile-first gaming, online betting, digital payments, and tech-driven gambling products are expanding fast, creating both commercial opportunity and urgent regulatory questions.

Regulation and policy take center stage

A standout feature this year was the strong presence of regulators and regulatory bodies from across Africa. The summit created rare space for direct dialogue between public-sector leaders and private operators on the issues defining markets today: consistent taxation models, responsible gaming frameworks, enforcement against illegal operators, and better cross-border cooperation.

Kenya’s role as host underscored the point. As one of Africa’s most active gaming and digital payments markets, Kenya sits at the center of the continental conversation on modernizing regulation while protecting consumers and keeping the market attractive for responsible operators.

The summit’s official endorsement by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya added weight, signaling that Nairobi is committed to using the platform for real regulatory dialogue and collaboration.

“Growth must be matched by responsibility”

“Africa’s gaming industry has reached a stage where growth must be matched by responsibility, structure, and long-term thinking,” said *David Moshi*, Managing Director at Velex Advisory. 

“The value of this summit lies in bringing the right people into one room to have honest conversations about where the industry is headed and what must be done to build a stronger foundation. Our ambition goes beyond hosting a successful summit; it is to support a more connected, transparent, and sustainable gaming ecosystem across Africa.”

That focus on long-term structure ran through the sessions. Discussions centered on strengthening cooperation between regulators and industry, aligning policy across African markets, promoting responsible gaming standards, deepening compliance, and making space for innovation that fits Africa’s unique market realities.

Industry turns out in force

The summit drew participation from across the ecosystem. Companies including Afitech, 1xBet, Betconstruct, Sharpvision, Aviator, BMM Test Labs, and Evidentia AI were among those engaging with regulators and policymakers on the floor.

As Africa’s gaming market grows in financial value, social influence, and regulatory complexity, GTSA is positioning itself as the platform where difficult questions get addressed, practical partnerships form, and the continent’s gaming tech future gets shaped.

*About Gaming Tech Summit Africa*  

Gaming Tech Summit Africa is a pan-African platform convening regulators, policymakers, operators, investors, technology and payment providers, legal experts, compliance professionals, and industry associations. The summit focuses on building a sustainable, scalable, and responsible gaming ecosystem through policy dialogue, regulatory collaboration, innovation showcases, investment conversations, and cross-border engagement.

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