Bola Group has introduced Chatbet, a WhatsApp-based sports betting service, with initial operations beginning in Zambia ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup. The platform allows users to check odds and place wagers through text messages or voice notes without downloading a dedicated application.
Chatbet operates on the ChatLayer Media Technologies framework and covers all major sporting disciplines. The service removes the requirement for web browsers or data-heavy interfaces, addressing connectivity limitations in regions where mobile device usage continues to rise. Development took six months.
Market Expansion and Launch Timing
The platform will expand to Zimbabwe and Malawi following the Zambian rollout. Bola Group CEO Hilton Hasson stated that the release coincides with the start of the FIFA 2026 World Cup to support customer acquisition across sub-Saharan Africa. Hasson noted, "WhatsApp is already in everyone’s pocket, data costs make traditional platforms a barrier and sports betting in this market is still massively underserved digitally, and Chatbet solves all three."