The African iGaming Alliance (AiA) has initiated the first-ever Africa Safer Gambling Week to enhance player protection across the continent. Kicking off on Monday, this initiative will unite various stakeholders in Africa, including regulators and industry associations, with plans to hold the Africa Safer Gambling Week annually.
The core objective is to ensure that the growth of the gambling sector in Africa goes hand in hand with effective consumer protection, responsible gambling practices, and increased public awareness.
Under the campaign slogan #PlaySafeAfrica, each day of the week will highlight a specific aspect of safer gambling, including responsible gambling, establishing personal limits, and preventing underage gambling. A coordinated program will facilitate interaction between regulators and the industry, featuring public education efforts and digital awareness activities.
Peter Kesitilwe, CEO of the AiA, emphasized that as the industry evolves, player protection must also advance. He stated, "As Africa’s gambling industry continues to grow, player protection must grow with it. Africa Safer Gambling Week brings regulators and industry together around a shared commitment to safer gambling and stronger consumer protection." He further noted the importance of ensuring consumers have access to the tools and information necessary for responsible gambling during this week and beyond.
The AiA has called on stakeholders within Africa’s gambling sector to work together, stressing that collaboration is vital as the industry develops. The organization advocates for strengthening cooperation, sharing best practices, and keeping safer gambling at the forefront of the policy agenda.
Additionally, the Africa Safer Gambling Week will promote the necessity of channeling players into legal offerings, while warning that the black market frequently overlooks player protection.
Olabimpe Akingba, head of responsible gaming at pawaTech and an AiA board member, stated that the initiative embodies the association's aim to transform discussions about cross-border collaboration in Africa’s iGaming sector into actionable measures for player protection. “At the African iGaming Alliance, we have been committed to moving beyond conversations about collaboration across African jurisdictions towards meaningful action,” she explained. “And what better place to demonstrate that commitment than through player protection? The Africa Safer Gambling Week is our collaboration in action.”
On Monday, the AiA also announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers to strengthen ties on relevant issues in Nigeria and across Africa. This MoU aims to explore collaboration opportunities in areas such as safer gambling, player protection, and taxation. This marks the second MoU the AiA has entered into in three weeks, following a similar agreement with the Association of Gaming Operators of Kenya made in late August.
