Altenar and IBIA: Enhancing Sports Betting Integrity in Africa
Africa’s sports betting industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. According to the International Betting Integrity Association’s (IBIA) 2025 Sports Betting Integrity Report, based on H2 Gambling Capital data, the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in Africa is projected to rise from US$3.5 billion in 2021 to US$19.4 billion by 2030. This expansion is primarily driven by the online betting sector, estimated to reach US$16.4 billion by 2030. As this growth accelerates, protecting the integrity of sports betting becomes crucial. Here, the alliance between Altenar and the IBIA plays a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future for Africa’s betting market.
The African Betting Landscape: A Digital Revolution
Across the continent, the betting landscape is undergoing a digital transformation. Research by GeoPoll highlights that 95% of bettors in countries like Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda use mobile devices for placing bets. Football dominates as the sport of choice, with 67% of bets being placed on football events. As the market becomes more digital, the importance of maintaining transparency and integrity in operations cannot be overstated. The regulatory environment across Africa varies widely, making cross-border collaboration and information sharing all the more essential. As regulators work to create standardized frameworks, partnerships like that of Altenar and IBIA become instrumental in fostering a culture of integrity.
Building Stronger Betting Ecosystems Together
The IBIA is a not-for-profit association dedicated to safeguarding sports betting integrity globally. Its Global Monitoring & Alert Platform oversees over 1.5 million sporting events and assesses customer activities across a global betting turnover exceeding US$300 billion each year. Through intelligence-sharing and collaboration with operators, regulators, and sports organizations, IBIA plays a key role in safeguarding regulated betting markets. Altenar’s participation with IBIA brings an opportunity for the company to contribute to more transparent betting ecosystems. By integrating its sportsbook technology with IBIA’s international integrity standards, Altenar bolsters the operational integrity of its African partners.
Strengthening Altenar’s Market Integrity Approach
Altenar’s membership in IBIA signifies its commitment to integrity, offering access to a vast network of operators focused on mitigating risks. As Altenar grows its presence across Africa, this partnership supports its reputation as a reliable sportsbook technology provider. Jacob Portelli, Sales Manager at Altenar, emphasizes the significance of trust and technology in achieving sustainable growth. He asserts that collaboration with IBIA allows Altenar to contribute to the broader industry goal of enhanced integrity awareness and a trustworthy betting environment. This integrity-first approach not only fulfills compliance obligations but also exemplifies Altenar’s dedication to long-term market sustainability across African betting markets.
Challenges and Opportunities in the African Betting Market
The African betting market holds immense potential, especially with technological advancements and growing football engagement. However, it also faces challenges such as unregulated operators and match-fixing threats. IBIA CEO Khalid Ali acknowledges the progress in regulatory improvements but warns that integrity measures still lag behind leading jurisdictions like Ontario and Alberta. Ali credits members like Altenar for their commitment to closing these gaps, highlighting the ongoing efforts to align Africa’s betting regulations with global standards. Collaborative efforts between technology providers and integrity organizations are essential in securing Africa’s promising betting landscape against potential risks.
Conclusion: Towards a Secure Betting Future
As Africa’s betting industry surges forward, maintaining the integrity of sports and betting operations is vital for sustainable market development. The partnership between Altenar and IBIA underscores the importance of collaboration, technology, and shared responsibility in achieving this goal. By combining its expertise in sportsbook technology with IBIA’s integrity standards, Altenar aims to support a secure and reliable betting environment. As operators, regulators, and stakeholders work together, Africa’s diverse betting markets will continue to evolve, promising a brighter, more sustainable future for all involved.