The African iGaming Alliance (AiA) has inaugurated the first Africa Safer Gambling Week, a new initiative aimed at enhancing player protection across the continent.
Launching on Monday, this year's event unites various stakeholders, including regulators and industry associations, and is set to become an annual occasion. The initiative emphasizes that the growth of the gambling sector in Africa must go hand in hand with effective consumer protection, responsible gambling standards, and broader public awareness.
Under the campaign titled #PlaySafeAfrica, each day of the week is dedicated to a particular aspect of safer gambling practices. Topics such as responsible gambling, setting personal limits, and preventing underage gambling will be highlighted.
This week will see a synchronized program featuring engagement between regulators and the gambling industry, along with public education and digital awareness efforts.
Peter Kesitilwe, CEO of the AiA, underscored the necessity for player protection to evolve in tandem with the industry's expansion. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between regulators and operators in achieving these goals. “As Africa’s gambling industry continues to grow, player protection must grow with it,” he stated. “Africa Safer Gambling Week brings regulators and industry together around a shared commitment to safer gambling and stronger consumer protection. We fully support consumers having the tools and information they need to gamble responsibly; this week, like every week, is about ensuring our customers’ safety.”
The AiA has issued a call for cooperation among stakeholders in Africa’s gambling sector, recognizing that collaboration will be crucial as the industry continues to develop. This partnership is to include enhancing cooperation, sharing best practices, and ensuring that safer gambling remains a key focus in policies.
Additionally, Africa Safer Gambling Week will stress the importance of directing players to legal offerings, with the AiA warning that the black market frequently disregards player protection standards.
Olabimpe Akingba, who oversees responsible gaming at pawaTech and serves on the AiA board, noted that this initiative aligns with the AiA’s mission to translate cross-border collaboration within Africa’s iGaming industry into substantive 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 remarked. “And what better place to demonstrate that commitment than through player protection? The Africa Safer Gambling Week is our collaboration in action.”
On the opening day, the AiA announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers to foster closer ties regarding various issues both in Nigeria and across Africa. This agreement will explore collaborative efforts in safer gambling, player protection, and taxation matters.
This marks the second MoU the AiA has struck in just three weeks, following a recent agreement with the Association of Gaming Operators of Kenya, established in late August.
