At the Africa Summit during iGB L!VE 2026, discussions highlighted critical issues affecting the gaming sector, including taxation, localization, and market growth strategies.
The first panel, moderated by Robin Harrison, Global Content Director at iGamingBusiness, featured Lungile Dukwana, CEO of the South African National Gambling Board; Bashir Are, CEO of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority; and Olabimpe Akingba, head of responsible gaming at pawaTech. This panel centered on the need for regional harmonization in gaming regulations and tax policies across Africa.
Akingba underscored the necessity for operators to maintain flexibility, stating, "there's really no one size fit all" when addressing the diverse African markets. The panelists emphasized the importance of creating collaborative relationships within the sector to tackle easier issues like consumer protection. Dukwana suggested that sharing standards on simpler matters is essential for regulatory alignment.
They warned against overly aggressive tax regimes; Are remarked that high taxes could threaten market survival. Guga Gotsadze, CEO of SmartSoft, cautioned that treating Africa as a single market was a "biggest mistake" and advocated for tailored strategies that acknowledge market differences to foster sustainable growth. Akingba also noted the importance of regulators and operators cooperating to ensure tax policies do not jeopardize the industry’s stability.
The second panel, featuring Ed Birkin, Managing Director of H2 Gambling Capital; Dan Thomson, CCO of pawaTech; and Dukwana, explored the balance between tax policy and channelization in the market. Dukwana stressed the proactive enforcement of laws in South Africa, asserting that illegal operators should not feel secure in that jurisdiction. Thomson revealed that pawaTech had exited three African markets in the last 18 months due to poor tax conditions while highlighting the industry's potential for growth. He expressed that if tax policies continue to tighten, investments would likely decrease.
Gotsadze expressed that transparent regulation is vital for fostering confidence among operators, which in turn promotes innovation and a healthier iGaming ecosystem. He stated, "It gives operators the confidence to invest, encourages responsible innovation and creates a healthier, more sustainable iGaming ecosystem where suppliers, operators, regulators, and players all have aligned interests."
The third panel examined how the gaming industry should adjust global products for diverse local markets, led by Lois Bright, Co-Founder of Gaming Advisory Partners. The panel included Christian Rajter, CEO of Split the Pot; Gail Odgers, General Manager for Virgin Bet South Africa; and Simon Munsamy, Managing Director at Playtech Africa. Odgers remarked on the complexities of catering to various cultural demographics, emphasizing the need for continuous product evolution based on consumer insights. Rajter noted the importance of engaging with local market players to gather relevant feedback. While Munsamy cautioned against over-localization, insisting that product quality should remain intact, Gotsadze reiterated that the core gaming experience must resonate with local audiences.
The fourth panel focused on the role of mobile payments in African gambling, led by Charles Ekundayo, CEO of Africa Gaming Expo. Participants included Anthony Prissman, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Super Group; Denis Mudene Ngabirano, CEO of Uganda's National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board; and Conor O'Donovan, Africa partner at Tekkorp Capital. Prissman described how mobile money transformed transaction dynamics, with trust being a crucial factor in building user confidence. O'Donovan, however, raised concerns about the effectiveness of mobile money in all markets. Ngabirano discussed Uganda's high gambling age and its unintended consequence of pushing youth to illegal betting, prompting discussions on risk-based KYC policies. Prissman expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of a pan-African KYC framework, calling it a distant goal.
The final panel, chaired by iGamingBusiness’ Kyle Goldsmith, delved into the sports betting landscape in Africa. Panelists included Martin Sack, Co-Founder of Gaming Advisory Partners, and William Scott, non-executive director at Ithuba Holdings. Both agreed that football significantly boosts sports betting growth across the continent. Sack attributed this growth to improvements in infrastructure and payment systems rather than mere sponsorship. He cautioned that without solid product execution, marketing efforts would fall flat. Gotsadze reiterated football's centrality in African culture and its impact on engagement within the gaming ecosystem.
Sack concluded on sustainable engagement, stating, "Sustainable engagement to me is not just about responsible gaming. For me, it’s really about creating long-term value for both the customer and the operator… building trust with fair products, CRM, fast payments, and responsible gaming.",
