Africa: BetPawa to Cease Operations in Senegal

Senegal.– September 22, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.comThe brand will stop operations in the country as of September 22, citing a restrictive market environment, high taxes, and payment challenges.

Overview

PawaTech, the company operating the BetPawa brand across Africa, has announced it will halt its operations in Senegal effective 22 September 2025 due to what it considers an increasingly difficult environment for locally licensed operators.

The company points to high taxation, a monopoly over payment processing, and burdensome regulatory fees as primary obstacles preventing it from operating in compliance while remaining competitive.

Context / Key Details

• Effective date: 22 September 2025.

• Reasons cited:

  • Elevated taxes on gaming operations.

  • Payment processing monopoly that disadvantages local operators.

  • Heavy regulatory fees which erode viability.

• Customer assurances: BetPawa assures that all funds held for Senegalese users are safe and will be repaid promptly after shutdown.

• Role in other markets: In countries with fairer taxation and more open payment systems, BetPawa has been a positive force: generating local jobs, contributing fiscal revenue, and offering responsible gaming options.

Industry Impact

BetPawa’s exit from Senegal underlines systemic risks for locally licensed operators in Africa—rigid taxation, payment infrastructure constraints, and expensive regulation can push them out, potentially favoring offshore operators who bypass those constraints.

The decision may trigger broader concern among policymakers: losing legitimate companies can reduce fiscal revenue, erode consumer protections, and slow industry maturation. It highlights the need for regulatory frameworks that balance oversight, market sustainability, and fair paths for local operators.

Future Outlook

Although BetPawa considers current market conditions untenable, the company expresses hope that improvements in regulation, taxation, and payment systems could one day allow its return.

For operators, this is a warning: continued exodus may follow unless regulatory burdens are addressed. For regulators, it suggests reviews of policy that ensure licensed businesses can operate viably without sacrificing compliance.

BetPawa’s decision may stimulate dialogue on reshaping policies to support both regulatory integrity and industry growth in Senegal and beyond.

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🔗 Editó: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com