Gambling operators in Africa are proving no more immune to the negative impact of COVID-19 than those in any other market.

Until recently, Africa appeared to have dodged the kind of turmoil that the rest of the world has endured due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. But the continent is slowly catching up to the rest of the world, as South Africa’s number of confirmed cases is nearing 1,000 and Kenya just recorded its first death.

This week, Kenya’s Betting Control and Licensing Board issued a directive ordering all betting shops and casinos to shut their doors, effective immediately, until further notice. Radio and television operators were told to halt all gambling and betting advertisements.

Ivan Kalanzi, brand ambassador for Ugandan- and Rwandan-licensed GAL Sports Betting,told the BBC that his firm’s sales were down “about 99%” since the major sports leagues began suspending play and governments began ordering non-essential retail businesses to close their doors.