Is Gaming Big in South Africa?
The games industry is a market that’s growing quickly around the world. What was once a small segment of entertainment, reserved only for children, has now blown up to become a multi-billion dollar market. Africa is a huge continent and market, but by far, South Africa is one of the largest. In this article, we will analyze just how big gaming is in South Africa and what the market might look like moving forward.
South Africa is known to be one of the largest markets for gaming in Africa. There, gaming has overtaken both music and movies in terms of market share. Not only are people in the country buying games, but they’re making them as well, with BT Games being one of the largest retailers.
Market Value
The games market value in South Africa has grown every year since 2014. Last year, the market topped 4,613 million South African Rand, more than double what it was in 2014. By 2023, the market is expected to value 5,440 million South African Rand.
This market value is driven not only by people purchasing games in stores and online but also through the businesses that exist within it. This covers a wide range of companies, from developers and publishers to stores, casinos, and even those organizing eSports events or expos.
However, as with most countries, mobile gaming continues to be a core part of South Africa’s games industry. Mobile games are so easily accessible that it’s no wonder consumers are willing to spend their time and money on them. This is where games can benefit the most from a growing interest in the market, offering small purchases that add up to millions in revenue with enough players.
Event Growth
Events are where South Africa’s games market has been seeing the most growth. They’re what’s made it the second-largest games market in Africa, behind Egypt. The largest major event in recent years is called NAG LAN. Here, developers show off their games, tournaments are held, and gaming is celebrated in all its many forms.
However, Esports is probably bigger still. There’s an insatiable hunger for eSports live events and streaming in the region. A dedicated eSports channel called GINX eSports TV has been set up to keep up with the demand for eSports there. This is where the market will continue to see growth the most because the segment is still emerging, and there’s never enough of it to satisfy viewers.
Worldwide, it’s events and eSports that are also major contributors to games industries. Providing that they’re done right, companies can generate a huge amount of revenue from them.
Casinos
It’s impossible to discuss gaming in South Africa and not mention casinos. This is a part of the games industry that is tied closely with gambling. However, when you try to find the best South African online casino, you can see that most of them are offering more depth and content than others.
These games keep users coming back for more. With limits now becoming more obvious at the forefront of each casino, the segment has never been more accessible or acceptable. Gambling has always been a huge revenue driver around the world. With these casinos combining what they offer with online games, there could be no stopping the growth here.
Conclusion
Gaming is unequivocally big in South Africa. It’s huge. This is a growing market sector that will soon be as important to the country as it is in the UK and US. Consumers are demanding more and more, and the industry needs to move forward to catch up. This almost endless journey of supply and demand will be what keeps South Africa’s games industry alive.