Dakar’s sports betting craze surges ahead of the 2026 World Cup

Among a group of young footballers from a local neighborhood club, the upcoming Senegal-France match on June 16th is a hot topic of debate. Opinions vary widely, as the outcome feels entirely open. Assane, one of the players, shared his strategy: «I plan to bet on two different applications, one for France and the other for Senegal. That way, I maximize my chances of winning.» He recounted a recent call from a friend: «A friend called me, saying, ‘Assane, I need money, let’s place some bets.’ I told him, ‘Let’s go for it, we’ll try our luck.’» This illustrates the immediate financial motivation driving some of the **Dakar sports betting** fervor.

Mohamed, another young Dakar resident, openly expresses his enthusiasm for betting. «It excites me,» he chuckled. For him, too, the fever of **Dakar sports betting** has fully taken hold, fueled by the impending Mondial 2026. He has already placed several wagers on the opening match featuring the Lions de la Teranga against Les Bleus. «I’ve put together plenty of possible combinations. First ticket: Senegal will win. Second ticket: both teams will score. Then, Mbappé will score for France, Sadio Mané for Senegal,» he detailed. «I truly hope it unfolds that way, because if it does, I win big!»

« We lose more than we win »

Despite his optimism, Mohamed’s recent betting history reveals a common reality. Last month, he wagered a total of 80,000 CFA francs (approximately 122 euros), resulting in a net loss of 30,000 CFA francs (around 45 euros). While each individual bet might be small, he places wagers across numerous global leagues. «Every competition imaginable – championships, Ligue des champions, Coupe de France, even in the United States and China,» he laughed, emphasizing, «We truly have no limits. But it must be said, we often lose more than we win,» he candidly admitted, reflecting a widespread experience in **Dakar sports betting**.

Mohamed, like many other Senegalese, found himself drawn into sports betting shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic. This period saw a proliferation of betting applications, fundamentally altering traditional practices. Malick Diouf, founder of the Dakar Sport Summit, an event dedicated to the sports economy, offered his insights. «Senegal is a Muslim-majority nation where gambling is generally frowned upon,» Diouf explained. «The digitalization of betting platforms has effectively lifted this societal taboo, enabling individuals from all social strata to participate without fear of judgment.» This cultural shift has significantly boosted **Dakar sports betting** engagement.

The burgeoning **Dakar sports betting** sector is dominated by three major players: the Russian operator 1xBet, the French company Betclic, and the local Senegalese group Sunubet. Since November 2025, a 20% tax has been imposed on the revenues of these companies, a measure also extended to bettors’ winnings. Malick Diouf believes this revenue should be strategically allocated. «The State benefits financially,» Diouf asserted, «but the funds collected from sports betting should primarily be used to finance both professional and, crucially, amateur sports development across the nation.»

While the World Cup represents a highly anticipated period for sports bettors, this global football event also frequently becomes a time of all excesses. Alarmingly, various associations are now raising concerns about a growing number of addiction cases linked to the intensity of **Dakar sports betting** during major tournaments.