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While different sectors of national economies have proven vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of the global market, one industry that has remained surprisingly robust of the decades is the real-money gaming industry.

The $449 billion a year global gambling market is a significant source of tourist dollars and tax revenues in both Ghana and South Africa, as both countries share the distinction of being arguably the most liberal in Africa when it comes to gambling legislation.

Let's take a look at how the gaming industries of these two countries compare and contrast. 

Ghana's gambling industry overview


While many West African countries do not have any formal gambling market to speak of whatsoever, Ghana has a robust domestic industry worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Starting with the Lotteries Betting Act of 1960, Ghana's government decided that casino gaming could be a stimulus for economic growth and tax revenues. This landmark legislation was quickly followed by the 1973 Gambling Machine Act and the Casino Licensing Act, which cemented Ghana's reputation as a place for casino operators and platforms to do business.

Today, there are six government-backed casino resorts in the capital city, Accra, with the largest and most luxurious being the Victoria Casino, which is hugely popular among tourists. An estimated 45% of Ghanaians participate in real-money gaming on a regular basis, proving that this form of entertainment is not squarely aimed at attracting foreign tourist dollars.