Altenar strengthens integrity as Africa’s betting market enters a new phase

Africa’s betting market is undergoing rapid digital development as mobile access, football engagement and regulatory activity continue to reshape how wagering is offered and consumed across the continent.

The scale of that development is reflected in projections contained in the International Betting Integrity Association’s 2025 Sports Betting Integrity Report. Based on H2 Gambling Capital data, the report projects total betting gross gambling revenue across Africa to increase from US$3.5 billion in 2021 to US$19.4 billion by 2030. Online betting is projected to account for US$16.4 billion of that figure by 2030.

The mobile nature of the market is equally significant. GeoPoll’s 2026 research covering Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda found that 95 per cent of bettors use mobile devices to place bets while 67 per cent identified football as the activity they bet on most often. The research surveyed 2,866 respondents between June and July 2026 and also highlighted substantial differences between individual national markets.

This combination of strong mobile usage and continued betting activity places greater emphasis on the systems supporting market integrity. As more transactions take place digitally and betting markets become increasingly connected across jurisdictions, the ability to identify unusual activity and share relevant intelligence has become an increasingly important part of the regulated betting environment.

Altenar’s IBIA membership and integrity strategy

Altenar’s relationship with the International Betting Integrity Association is established rather than newly formed. The sportsbook and iGaming technology provider became an IBIA member in 2022 and has continued to describe integrity monitoring as an important component of its sportsbook operations.

The distinction is relevant because the development represents an ongoing relationship rather than the launch of a new membership arrangement. For Altenar, the connection with IBIA sits alongside its broader work with regulated markets and sports betting stakeholders.

IBIA operates as a not-for-profit association focused on protecting sports and regulated betting markets from match-fixing and related corruption. Its current network includes more than 90 members and more than 200 betting brands across multiple regions. Its Global Monitoring & Alert Platform monitors more than 1.5 million sporting events each year and analyses activity associated with more than US$300 billion in annual betting turnover.

The monitoring framework is built around operator-generated intelligence and cooperation with regulators, sports organisations and law-enforcement stakeholders. That approach is especially relevant in markets where online betting is expanding quickly and where the development of consistent integrity procedures remains an important regulatory objective.

A stronger focus on African betting markets

Altenar has increased its focus on Africa over recent years. The company secured a National Manufacturer licence from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board in South Africa in December 2024. It later appointed Brendon Jeacocks as Regional Director for South Africa in 2025 as part of its regional commercial development.

The company also appointed Jacob Portelli as Sales Manager in 2025. According to Altenar, Portelli’s responsibilities include supporting expansion across Asian and African markets. His professional background includes iGaming sales and business development experience across several international markets.

Against this background, IBIA membership provides a framework through which Altenar can participate in wider integrity-focused cooperation. The value of such cooperation does not depend solely on the technology of an individual sportsbook. It also involves how operators, suppliers and other stakeholders identify potential risks, review alerts and exchange information where appropriate.

For technology providers active across several jurisdictions, this can become increasingly significant as regulatory expectations differ between countries. Operators may face separate licensing requirements, technical standards and reporting obligations depending on where their services are offered. In that environment, integrity processes need to operate alongside compliance, risk management and trading functions rather than as an isolated activity.

Why monitoring matters as markets become more digital

Digital betting creates substantial opportunities for operators and suppliers, but it also increases the importance of timely monitoring. Large volumes of betting activity can take place through mobile interfaces within short periods, particularly around major football fixtures and other popular sporting events.

IBIA’s Global Monitoring & Alert Platform is designed to identify suspicious betting patterns using intelligence supplied by its members. IBIA reported 76 suspicious alerts globally in the second quarter of 2026, illustrating the continuing role of monitoring systems in regulated betting markets.

The existence of an alert does not by itself establish wrongdoing. Rather, integrity alerts can provide information for further assessment by the relevant operators, governing bodies or authorities. That distinction is important when discussing betting integrity because unusual activity may require investigation before any conclusions are reached.

For sportsbook technology providers, effective procedures can include monitoring betting behaviour, maintaining appropriate reporting channels and supporting operator decisions when activity requires additional review. Altenar has previously described its use of sportsbook data, alert mechanisms and trading resources as part of its broader integrity approach.

Portelli highlights the importance of cooperation

Jacob Portelli, Sales Manager at Altenar, commented: “Africa is a market with significant potential, but sustainable growth depends on building trust alongside strong technology and commercial propositions. Integrity is a shared responsibility across the industry and being part of IBIA gives Altenar the opportunity to contribute to that wider effort.

“We believe that combining our experience in sportsbook technology with the collective expertise of IBIA’s network can help support a stronger and more sustainable betting environment across Africa.”

The comments position integrity as part of the wider business infrastructure required for market development. They also reflect the broader role of technology suppliers in supporting licensed operators that need to meet local regulatory expectations while maintaining commercially competitive sportsbook products.

Africa is not a single uniform betting jurisdiction. GeoPoll’s 2026 research identified significant differences between the six markets included in its study. Football was the leading betting product in five markets while South Africa showed a different pattern, with casino games accounting for a larger share. Kenya also stood out for stronger engagement with crash-style games.

These differences reinforce the importance of localisation. A sportsbook provider operating across several African jurisdictions may need to account for differences in consumer behaviour, payment preferences, product demand and regulatory frameworks while maintaining consistent risk and integrity standards.

IBIA outlines the regulatory challenge

Khalid Ali, IBIA’s CEO, said: “The African market provides both opportunities and challenges for the regulated sector. While there is great potential for market growth, the dangers from unregulated operators and match-fixers threaten to derail progress.

“The regulatory landscape has undoubtedly improved in many areas but is behind world-leading jurisdictions such as Ontario and Alberta on betting integrity measures.

“Altenar, as with all of our members, has demonstrated a clear commitment to investing in integrity monitoring and reporting and is working closely with IBIA to bridge that regulatory gap in Africa.”

Ali’s remarks are presented as his assessment of the regulatory environment and should be understood in that context. IBIA has consistently promoted collaboration between regulated betting operators, sports bodies and public authorities as part of its broader integrity framework.

The reference to unregulated activity also reflects a recurring issue in regulated market development. Regulators seek to establish licensing systems that define who may offer betting services, what technical and reporting requirements apply and what protections must be provided to consumers and sporting events.

In South Africa, for example, the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board is responsible for regulating gambling and betting within the province. Its stated mandate includes licensing, regulatory oversight and enforcement against unlawful gambling activity.

The role of technology in sustainable growth

As Africa’s betting market continues to develop, sportsbook technology is likely to remain closely connected with regulatory and integrity considerations. Mobile betting has already become the dominant access channel across the markets measured by GeoPoll, creating an environment where platform performance and monitoring capabilities must operate at scale.

For suppliers such as Altenar, the challenge is not limited to providing betting markets and trading functionality. Operators also require systems that can accommodate local requirements, support reporting obligations and integrate processes intended to address unusual activity.

Altenar has also highlighted its work with international regulators and its use of external data feeds, sportsbook alerts and live betting controls as part of its integrity-related operations. The company states that its technical infrastructure is used across multiple regulated jurisdictions and that it maintains certifications and licences relevant to specific markets.

The broader direction of travel is therefore clear. As online betting grows, regulators and industry participants are placing greater emphasis on transparency, intelligence-sharing and mechanisms that can support the identification and review of suspicious activity without relying on a single organisation.

What the development means for Africa’s betting market

The continued expansion of Africa’s betting market creates commercial opportunities while simultaneously increasing the importance of governance and integrity structures.

The available data indicates that mobile wagering is already deeply established among surveyed bettors. At the same time, the projected rise in GGR means that increasingly substantial sums could move through regulated and digital betting channels over the coming years.

Within that environment, IBIA membership gives Altenar access to a wider integrity network and supports cooperation based on shared information. It does not replace local regulation or individual operator responsibilities, but it can form part of a broader framework for addressing integrity risks.

For African betting markets to mature sustainably, technology, licensing, responsible operation and sports integrity will need to develop together. Differences between jurisdictions make local knowledge important while the cross-border nature of digital wagering makes cooperation increasingly relevant.

Conclusion

Africa’s betting market is entering a period in which scale alone will not define the next stage of development. Mobile betting is already deeply embedded across several major markets while industry forecasts point to substantial growth in the value of wagering activity over the coming decade. With that expansion comes a greater need for systems that can support transparency, monitoring and regulatory accountability.

Altenar’s established IBIA membership forms part of that wider integrity ecosystem. The relationship places the sportsbook technology provider within a network focused on intelligence-sharing and the protection of regulated sports betting markets. At the same time, Altenar’s expansion in Africa, including its South African licensing milestone and regional commercial investments, shows how technology providers are adapting to the continent’s changing regulatory and commercial environment.

The long-term development of Africa’s betting sector will depend on more than consumer demand or digital access. Sustainable growth will also require credible regulatory frameworks, appropriate technology, cooperation between stakeholders and continued attention to the integrity of sport and betting. In that context, the interaction between sportsbook infrastructure and international integrity standards is likely to remain an important feature of the market’s next phase.

FAQs

What is Altenar’s connection with IBIA?
Altenar became a member of the International Betting Integrity Association in 2022. Its membership connects the company with an industry network focused on sports betting integrity, monitoring and information-sharing.

What does IBIA do?
IBIA is a not-for-profit association focused on safeguarding sports and regulated betting markets from match-fixing and related corruption. It supports monitoring, intelligence-sharing, policy work and cooperation with relevant stakeholders.

Why is integrity important in Africa’s betting market?
Integrity is important because the market is expanding rapidly while digital betting creates large volumes of activity across multiple jurisdictions. Monitoring and cooperation can help regulated stakeholders identify activity that may require further assessment.

How large could Africa’s betting market become?
IBIA’s 2025 Sports Betting Integrity Report cites projections that total betting GGR across Africa could reach US$19.4 billion by 2030, with online betting accounting for US$16.4 billion.

How do African bettors usually place bets?
GeoPoll’s 2026 survey across six African markets found that 95 per cent of bettors place bets using mobile devices. This highlights the importance of mobile-first sportsbook technology and reliable digital infrastructure.

Which sport is most popular among African bettors?
Football was identified as the main betting activity by 67 per cent of bettors in GeoPoll’s 2026 six-country study. The research also found meaningful differences between individual countries.

Does IBIA replace local gambling regulators?
No. IBIA is an industry integrity association and does not replace national or provincial gambling authorities. Local regulators remain responsible for licensing and supervising gambling activity within their respective jurisdictions.

What role does Altenar play in the African market?
Altenar provides sportsbook and iGaming technology for operators. The company has expanded its African presence and secured a National Manufacturer licence from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board in South Africa.

Who is Jacob Portelli?
Jacob Portelli is a Sales Manager at Altenar. The company appointed him in 2025 with a focus on supporting growth across Asian and African markets.

Who is Khalid Ali?
Khalid Ali is the Chief Executive Officer of the International Betting Integrity Association. He is responsible for the organisation’s global strategy and delivery alongside its leadership team.