Sports betting has always been one of the more popular activities among sports fans. The idea has been around since the ancient era and has stayed as a popular part of human culture for all of human history, all the way until today. In the modern era of computer science and rapidly developing technology, however, a new form of betting and gambling has supplanted the traditional bookie or casino. Online sports betting websites are on the rise, becoming more and more popular, not just in the Western World, but around the globe.
South Asian countries, like India, Pakistan, etc. have all taken to using online betting sites as their primary betting platform. The practice is getting to be pretty popular in South America as well. Most recently, of course, the popularity of online betting sites has reached African shores. African countries are becoming more and more open to the idea of online sports betting and gambling, and among them, one of the countries which has embraced the idea fully and with open arms is Ghana.
Is Betting Legal in Ghana?
To put it simply, yes. Ghana has had laws and regulations placed on betting for most of the years since the country’s independence from British rule, however, this could be set to change. Previously, for over forty years, the Lotteries Betting Act of 1960 governed the way betting and gambling can be done in the country.
In 2006, the Lotteries Betting Act was overturned, and replaced with the much more thoroughly thought-through, Gaming Act of 2006. The act made it possible for Ghanaians to place bets on sports and gamble, all the while entrusting industry regulations to the Gaming Commission of Ghana.
Nowadays, numerous online betting sites can be found, which are available to Ghanaians, as well as other African countries. BettingGuide.com is a website that any prospective punter should visit before starting out their journey, as they offer quite a few helpful tips and tricks to help players maximize winnings.
The Rise of Online Betting
Online betting is sort of a fresh industry, meaning a lot of people might not be too familiar with it. However, that certainly is not true for a number of African countries, including Ghana. Up until very recently, online betting sites in Ghana were neither popular nor profitable. In recent years, however, all that has changed, and nowadays, millions of Ghanaians place bets online on a daily basis or even casual players having a punt on major events such as the Africa Cup of Nations.
Online betting makes placing bets a whole lot easier, and a lot more streamlined. It can be done from any electronic device, including phones, or tablets, which means that punters don’t have to waste time walking to and from the sports shop or the bookie.
The market may have started out slow, but nowadays, there are plenty of betting sites to choose from on the Ghanaian market. An estimate places over 20 sites in total, all covering a vast amount of sports and leagues.
The Most Popular Sports
Ghanaians play and watch quite a lot of sports, however, one stands out among the rest. Football is, without a doubt, Ghana’s most beloved sport. Played from an early age, Ghanaians have developed a deep bond to the game, and many popular Ghanaian players have sought and achieved fame and success overseas, in some of the most popular football clubs in the world.
Aside from football, Ghanaian punters also love and closely follow basketball, track-and-field, and boxing, which is the most popular combat sport, not just in Ghana, but in the world in general. All of these sports see a good chunk of bets placed on them, especially during the big events, like the NBA or the FIBA World Cup.