Angola

Angola's gambling market performed positively last year, generating gross revenues of around $40m, according to the director general of the Institute for the Supervision of Gambling (ISJ). The results achieved in 2023 are largely due to the expansion of the industry in other provinces and the growing popularity of online gambling among the country's residents, according to the director general of the Institute for the Supervision of Gambling (ISJ).

According to the ISJ report, the gambling sector showed growth in the first quarter of 2024, generating $5.9 million in revenue for the national treasury, with the largest share of revenue coming from sports betting, both land-based BCs and betting platforms. By the end of the second quarter, the gambling sector had brought in $9m.

Despite the high level of poverty, Angola is one of the main oil producers in Africa. The country is therefore heavily dependent on this sector: oil accounts for about one-third of the country's GDP and 95 per cent of exports.

With unstable oil prices, the government has been cutting public spending, which has created serious social and humanitarian problems.

Population

The country's population is over 37 million, with an annual growth rate of 3.29%. More than 66% of the country's inhabitants live in urban areas.

Angola has a fairly young population: the average age is 16-18 years. This is due to the high birth rate and relatively low life expectancy, which is (for both sexes) just over 63 years.

The literacy rate among male adults (over 15 years of age) is 81.98 per cent and among female adults (over 15 years of age) 60.69 per cent.

Language: The official language is Portuguese. There are also six African languages: Kikongo, Kimbundu, Umbundu, Chokwe, Mbunda and Kwanyama.

Religion: More than 88 per cent of the population in Angola is Christian. Most of them are Catholics (57%) and Protestants (31%). About 4.5 per cent of Angolans profess local beliefs.

Major cities: Luanda (capital), Cabinda, Ouambo, Lobitu, Benguela.

Currency: Kwanza (AOA). 100 AOA = $0.11.

Financial opportunities

The country is rich in oil and diamonds, but not all citizens can boast of wealth.

As of 2022, more than 15.1 million people in Angola lived in extreme poverty (earning $1.90 per day). This number is projected to rise to 16.3 million by 2026.

The adult unemployment rate is 35.4 per cent and 60 per cent among the youth.

The minimum wage is $40-60, the average wage is about $150, the salary of highly qualified specialists (accountant, notary, medical worker) is from $250.

Mentality

Until 1975 Angola was a colony of Portugal, therefore in various aspects of life of Angolans the influence of this country is felt.

Today the population of Angola is made up of people from various African tribes (Ovimbundu, Mbundu, Chokwe, and others), each with their own special customs.

Angolan society has a strong tradition of communal living. The family plays an important role and many decisions are made with the interests of the group in mind.

Traditional beliefs, rituals and numerous festivities have a significant place in the culture of the country and are accompanied by musical instruments such as the accordion, the berimbau (a one-stringed percussion instrument) and drums.

Despite social and economic challenges, many Angolans maintain a positive attitude and the ability to find joy in simple things.

Hospitality is considered an important quality in a person here. Guests are usually offered food and drink and refusal is considered impolite.

Internet accessibility

At the beginning of 2024, Angola had 14.63 million internet users and a penetration rate of 39.3 per cent.

The average speed of a mobile internet connection is 13.99 Mbps. The average speed of a fixed internet connection is 19.63 Mbps.

Device usage volume:

• mobile - 85%
• desktop - 13%
• tablet - 2%

Popular web applications: Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter.

At the beginning of 2024, Facebook has 5 million users, TikTok - 3.01 million, LinkedIn - 890 thousand, Instagram - 763.5 thousand, Twitter - 92.5 thousand.

Player preferences

Football betting dominates the country's iGaming market as a whole due to the huge number of fans of the sport across the continent.

Lotteries are very popular among the population. Players often prefer them because of the ease of participation and potentially large winnings.

In online casinos, Angolans prefer slots, blackjack, roulette and baccarat. In addition, the local audience chooses ‘simplicity and instant gratification’, so crash games are particularly popular among online casino users.