Nairobi, June 16 -- Kenya has emerged as Africa's most active sports betting market, with 64 percent of respondents reporting they placed a football ante in the past 12 months.

According to GeoPoll data, this places the country ahead of regional peers and underscores how deeply wagering has become embedded in football consumption habits.

"High level of sports betting engagement: 52 percent of respondents have placed a football bet in the past 12 months, rising to 64 percent in Kenya, 60 percent in Ghana, and 58 percent in South Africa, but dropping to 25 percent in Egypt," said GeoPoll.

The surge is most visible during major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, when betting typically spikes alongside global interest in the sport and...