Sports News
| Published On Mar 31, 2026 4:38 am CEST | By iGaming Team

Virgin Bet Enters South Africa With First Launch Outside the UK

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Virgin Bet has gone live in South Africa, giving LiveScore Group its first Virgin Bet launch outside the UK. The new site, Virginbet.co.za, is part of a wider Africa plan and will run from the group betting setup in Nigeria alongside LiveScore Bet.


  • Good to Know

    Virgin Bet is now live in South Africa through Virginbet.co.za.

  • LiveScore Group said the rollout is part of a wider Africa expansion strategy.
  • South Africa remains the largest regulated gambling market in Africa by wagering volume.

Virgin Bet Picks South Africa for First Step Abroad

Rather than add another European market first, LiveScore Group has taken Virgin Bet into South Africa. That gives the brand a new lane in a country where betting is already the clear driver of gambling activity. National Gambling Board figures show total wagering in the 2024 to 2025 financial year reached ZAR1.5 trillion, up 31.3% from the prior year, with betting accounting for 75% of that total. Casinos contributed 19.5%, while limited payout machines and bingo made up 3.6% and 1.8%.

The local pitch is pretty straightforward. Virgin Bet wants a place in a fast growing sports betting market built around football, rugby, and cricket. Gail Odgers, head of marketing for Virgin Bet South Africa, said:

“We’re focused on building trust and introducing Virgin Bet in a way that South Africans can feel confident in. Whether it’s football, rugby or cricket, sport is part of everyday conversation. That passion is what makes this market so exciting for us.”

Player protection is a core part of the rollout, at least in the early messaging. LiveScore Group said the South Africa site includes deposit limits, time outs, self exclusion tools, age verification, and a local customer support team. The company also said it plans local CSR work tied to safer gambling.

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The group already had betting operations in Nigeria, and earlier coverage showed LiveScore Bet products active there as part of a broader multi market setup. That existing Africa base helps explain why South Africa became the next step.