Regulators from various African nations convened in London this week to deepen collaborative efforts on licensing, taxation, and player protection in the continent’s burgeoning gambling market. The African iGaming Alliance (AiA) hosted this important session alongside the iGB L!VE 2026 conference on July 2.
Chief executives and senior representatives from at least eight African jurisdictions—Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Malawi, Rwanda, Ghana, Tanzania, and Angola—came together to discuss pressing regulatory challenges and share their policy experiences.
With the rapid growth of digital betting across Africa, the discussions focused on sustainable taxation models that balance government revenue needs with the competitiveness of the market. Strategies to steer players toward licensed operators and enhance player protection mechanisms were also key topics.
A technical presentation by H2 Gambling Capital provided critical insights about global taxation frameworks and the relationships between tax policy, player safety, and sustainable revenue generation. Participants underscored the importance of balanced tax regimes that promote compliance, protect consumers, and facilitate long-term growth in the industry.
A significant outcome of the meeting was the advancement of an initiative proposed by the AiA: Africa Safer Gambling Week. This event intends to deliver consistent messaging and coordinate educational efforts among regulators, operators, and other stakeholders to advocate for responsible gambling practices.
Organizers announced other key agreements, including a reinforced commitment to cooperation among regulators across borders and a focus on evidence-based policymaking backed by reliable market data. Continued discussions on taxation strategies that align government revenue goals with market competitiveness and player safety were also highlighted, alongside enhanced cross-border initiatives to combat unlicensed and illegal gambling activities.
Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, the CEO of the African iGaming Alliance, remarked, “Africa’s gaming industry continues to grow rapidly, making regulatory collaboration more important than ever.” He further noted, “Today’s discussions demonstrated the commitment of African regulators to work together in addressing common challenges, sharing best practices, and building regulatory frameworks that promote responsible gambling, consumer protection, and sustainable market development.” AiA remains dedicated to facilitating this collaboration for the continent's benefit.
As Africa's betting market expands due to liberalization and better access to the internet and mobile services, the need for regulatory coordination intensifies. In this context, Bola Group recently launched a WhatsApp betting platform, Chatbet, enabling users to receive odds and place bets via messages or voice notes just in time for the World Cup.
Various jurisdictions have updated their licensing frameworks or modified taxation systems to more effectively capture online revenues. However, regulators are still contending with increasing competition from offshore platforms and informal operators that undermine compliance and tax collection efforts.
The London meeting served as a vital platform for regulators to share their latest approaches. For example, the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority in Nigeria, South Africa’s National Gambling Board, and Ghana’s Gaming Commission have stepped up their oversight, implementing data-driven compliance technologies.
With the World Cup approaching, the NGB warned of a rise in illegal online gambling operations, which are deceiving users by mimicking legitimate bookmakers through the use of their names, logos, and branding.
At the same time, smaller markets like Rwanda and Malawi are concentrating on capacity building and improved information sharing to identify and address illegal operators.
