Virgin Bet has officially launched its operations in South Africa, marking its first expansion beyond the UK. The platform aims to cater to the country's growing sports betting market with a focus on responsible gambling and community initiatives.
South Africa has established itself as the largest licensed betting market on the African continent, and now, Virgin Bet, a brand operated by LiveScore Group, is making its mark there. This move signifies Virgin Bet's first foray outside the UK, showcasing the company's ambition to broaden its reach.
The newly launched platform, accessible at Virginbet.co.za, is part of a strategic initiative by LiveScore Group to enhance its footprint in Africa. The operations will be managed from the company’s existing betting activities in Nigeria, which also includes their LiveScore Bet product.
South Africa boasts the title of Africa’s largest regulated gambling market, with oversight from both provincial and national regulatory authorities. According to the National Gambling Board (NGB) of South Africa, an impressive 1.5 trillion South African Rand (approximately $89 billion) was wagered in the country during the 2024/2025 financial year, reflecting a 31.3% increase compared to the previous year.
The betting sector was the largest contributor, accounting for 75% of the total wagers, while casinos contributed 19.5%. Limited payout machines (LPMs) and bingo made up the remaining 3.6% and 1.8%, respectively. The NGB also highlighted that the gambling sector provided employment for around 34,316 individuals by 2024.
However, recent proposals from South Africa’s National Treasury suggest the introduction of a 20% levy tax framework for online gambling, indicating a shift towards more structured taxation for digital betting. This proposal has met with resistance from industry stakeholders.
Virgin Bet has committed to prioritizing player safety with the new platform. The site will feature several protective measures, including deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion options. Additionally, age verification processes and a dedicated local customer support team will be implemented to ensure compliance and assist users effectively.
Gail Odgers, head of marketing for Virgin Bet South Africa, expressed the company’s commitment to building trust: "We’re focused on building trust and introducing Virgin Bet in a way that South Africans can feel confident in."
Furthermore, the company has pledged to launch various corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects aimed at promoting safer gambling practices within the community.
The South African platform is designed to cater to the country’s substantial and rapidly growing sports betting market, with a strong emphasis on popular sports such as football, rugby, and cricket. Odgers noted, "Whether it’s football, rugby or cricket, sport is part of everyday conversation. That passion is what makes this market so exciting for us."
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