Covid-19 pandemic hits Africa’s gaming industry
The Covid-19 pandemic has spread to the African continent, and nearly 3,000 confirmed cases have been found in 43 countries. The impact of the pandemic is gradually catching up with the rest of the world. In order to stop the continuous spread of the pandemic, African countries have taken anti-epidemic measures. For example, the Kenya Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) issued an order requiring all gaming shops and casinos to suspend operations. The order will take effect immediately until further notice. In addition to this, radio and television operators were also told to immediately suspend all advertisements about the gaming.
GAL Sports Betting, authorized by Uganda and Rwanda, and its brand ambassador Ivan Kalanzi revealed to the media that the company’s sales performance is only remain 1% of the original sales as a result of the extension or suspension of major sports leagues in the world and the government’s order to close non-essential retail companies. He added that in East African countries like Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, they rely heavily on the sales of physical gaming stores. To make matters worse, online game players prefer to bet on mainstream international football leagues, so it has a serious impact on sports gaming in the above regions.
Agella Agaba, Betway’s Uganda regional manager, told the media that sports gaming account for 75% of its local business, and customers are reluctant to bet on sports leagues that are still operating but are unfamiliar. But like other Western operators, Agellah Agaba believes that the current situation will cause players to increase their interest in other types of gaming games (such as slots and virtual sports). In addition, before April 17, 2020, South Africa will suspend all horse racing. The horse racing event will held behind closed doors, but soon South African President Cyril Ramaphosa decided to lock the country for three weeks in order to further reduce the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Casino operator Sun International has successively closed its strongholds in Latin America and South Africa, and its local competitor Tsogo Sun Holdings has followed suit. The South African National Game Committee also issued a statement urging the public to avoid the temptation to accept unlicensed gaming operators. Despite precautions, such operators may continue to operate. Some players from Kenya told the media that they currently lack betting options, which means they have to save more money. But some people think that they have been deprived of the dream of winning the first prize to change their lives.
