Virgin's sports betting platform Virgin Bet, recently did something "for the first time" - stepping out of the UK and heading straight to South Africa. This platform, operated by LiveScore Group, officially launched in South Africa this Monday, with the domain Virginbet.co.za. notes that this is not only VirginBet's first international expansion but also another strategic move by LiveScore Group in Africa - they have already operated the LiveScore Bet product in Nigeria.
South Africa: The largest legal gambling market in Africa
Why South Africa? Because it is the largest legal gambling market in Africa, regulated by both provincial and national regulatory bodies. According to data from the National Gambling Board (NGB) of South Africa, the total national betting volume reached 1.5 trillion South African Rand (approximately 89 billion USD) in the fiscal year 2024/2025, a 31.3% increase from the previous fiscal year. How significant is this number? The gambling sector alone accounts for 75%, with casinos contributing 19.5%. By 2024, the entire gambling industry employed about 34,316 people.
However, the South African Treasury recently proposed a new scheme - planning to impose a 20% tax on online gambling. This is clearly an attempt to increase the tax burden on digital gambling, and there has been significant pushback from within the industry.
Responsible gambling: From deposit limits to local customer service
Virgin Bet's South African site is playing it safe. The new platform will launch a series of player protection features, including deposit limits, time-out options, and self-exclusion options. Age verification processes and a dedicated local customer service team will also be in place to ensure compliance. Marketing Director Gail Odgers put it realistically: "We focus on building trust, introducing Virgin Bet in a way that gives South Africans confidence."
The company also promises to initiate localized corporate social responsibility projects to promote safer gambling practices. At the product level, the platform will focus on covering the three most popular sports in South Africa: football, rugby, and cricket. Odgers added: "Whether it's football, rugby, or cricket, sports are a part of everyday conversation. This passion makes this market particularly exciting for us."
The sports betting market in South Africa is currently growing rapidly, and Virgin Bet, with the backing of the Virgin brand and the technical experience of LiveScore Group, will have to see how it copes with the policy uncertainty brought about by the 20% tax proposal. will continue to monitor the regulatory dynamics and competitive landscape of the African gambling market.
