Stakeholders in the gaming industry have called for enhanced player-protection measures across Africa's rapidly expanding gaming sector to address underage gambling, addiction, and other gambling-related harms. The appeal was made during the second responsible gaming symposium organized by Gamble Alert in Lagos, where participants from Nigeria, Ghana, and other African nations examined the future of responsible gaming on the continent under the theme 'Building Accountability: Strengthening Africa’s Model for Player Protection'.
Regulators Urge Balance Between Revenue and Protection
Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), Bashir Are, emphasized that regulation exists primarily to protect players. He urged regulators across Africa to strike a balance between revenue generation and consumer protection. Are noted that no regulator, regardless of its resources, can single-handedly protect every player; effective player protection requires collaboration among regulators, operators, technology providers, researchers, advocacy groups, and communities.
Are highlighted that while Africa's gaming sector has experienced significant growth, particularly in sports betting, virtual gaming, and online casino products, regulators and operators must continue working together to strengthen responsible gaming frameworks. He added that greater cooperation among regulators and operators is essential to sustain the industry's growth.
Weak KYC Systems Identified as Key Gap
Deputy Commissioner for Strategy and Growth at the Ghana Gaming Commission, Bashiru Donbine, echoed similar concerns, identifying weak Know Your Customer (KYC) systems as one of the gaps affecting player protection across African markets. He stated that Ghana has linked its national identification system to gaming platforms, a measure that has helped reduce underage gambling by enabling operators to verify players more effectively. Donbine also highlighted the growing role of technology in regulatory oversight, noting that regulators are increasingly using digital tools to monitor operator compliance and responsible gaming obligations.
Call for Responsible Advertising and Use of AI
Director-General of the Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board, Olajide Boladuro, stressed that regulators must ensure operators comply with responsible advertising standards and avoid marketing messages that portray gambling as a pathway to wealth. He added that advances in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) could help both regulators and operators identify changes in player behavior and intervene when signs of potential harm emerge.
Questioning the Effectiveness of Current Measures
In a keynote presentation, Managing Partner at WYS Solicitors and Founder of SLEC Africa, Olafadeke Akeju, challenged stakeholders to critically examine whether existing responsible gaming measures are delivering desired outcomes. She noted that many gaming regulations and responsible gambling frameworks currently operating across Africa were adapted from foreign jurisdictions and may not adequately reflect local realities. Akeju questioned whether existing tools sufficiently address gambling-related harm and urged stakeholders to place greater emphasis on evidence-based interventions, data governance, research, and player education. She stressed that responsibility for safer gambling should not be shifted entirely to players but shared among regulators, operators, technology providers, and other actors within the gaming ecosystem.
Public Health Perspective Highlights Data Gaps
Director in charge of Special Projects and Mental Health at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Tolu Ajomale, speaking from a public health perspective, said governments still lack adequate data on gambling-related harm. He noted that many individuals struggling with gambling addiction often present first with financial distress, domestic problems, depression, or anxiety rather than seeking treatment specifically for gambling-related issues. Ajomale emphasized that governments need access to gambling-related data to make policies and design frameworks that respond to the realities of the problem. He added that operators also need to share data to help authorities better understand the scale of gambling-related harm. He further highlighted the role of advocacy organizations such as Gamble Alert, describing them as a bridge between users, operators, and regulators, and called for greater support to enable them to continue public education, advocacy, and support services.
Accountability as a Measurable Commitment
Head of Responsible Gaming at PawaTech, Olabimpe Akingba, who spoke on behalf of the CEO of Africa iGaming Alliance, Peter Kesitilwe, said accountability must become a measurable commitment rather than a symbolic aspiration.
Symposium Goals and Long-Term Vision
Chief Executive Officer of Gamble Alert, Fisayo Oke, said the symposium was convened to bring together regulators, operators, researchers, advocates, and players to examine concerns surrounding the gaming industry from multiple perspectives. According to him, operators and regulators often highlight the gaming industry's contribution to the economy, while some players argue that the industry is exploiting them, making it necessary to bring all stakeholders together for discussion. He said the organization's long-term objective is to shift responsible gaming discussions away from treatment and addiction alone toward prevention, education, and early intervention. Oke also stated that responsible gaming efforts in Africa should extend beyond treatment and harm mitigation to include economic literacy, financial resilience, and stronger public awareness. He emphasized that the industry must pay greater attention to the broader social and economic conditions that shape gambling behavior.
