The African iGaming Alliance (AiA) has initiated the first-ever Africa Safer Gambling Week to enhance player protection throughout the continent. Kicking off on Monday, this year’s event brings together key stakeholders, including regulators and industry associations, and is set to be an annual affair.
The core aim of this initiative is to ensure that the expansion of the gambling sector in Africa occurs in tandem with effective consumer protection, responsible gambling practices, and heightened public awareness.
Under the campaign theme #PlaySafeAfrica, each day of this week will spotlight a different facet of safer gambling, covering topics like responsible gambling, setting personal limits, and preventing underage gambling.
The week will include a structured engagement program between regulators and the industry, complemented by public education and digital awareness activities.
Peter Kesitilwe, the CEO of AiA, emphasized that as the gambling industry in Africa expands, the focus on player protection must intensify as well. 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. 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 called on all parties within Africa's gambling sector to collaborate more closely, particularly as the industry grows. They stress the importance of cooperation, sharing best practices, and keeping safer gambling top of mind in policy discussions.
The Africa Safer Gambling Week also underscores the need for channeling players towards legal gambling options, as the AiA continues to point out that the black market frequently disregards player protection.
Olabimpe Akingba, who leads responsible gaming at pawaTech and serves on the AiA board, remarked that this initiative embodies the alliance’s commitment to transforming discussions on cross-border collaboration within Africa’s iGaming sector into actionable steps for player protection. She said, "At the African iGaming Alliance, we have been committed to moving beyond conversations about collaboration across African jurisdictions towards meaningful action. And what better place to demonstrate that commitment than through player protection? The Africa Safer Gambling Week is our collaboration in action."
On the first day of the week, the AiA also announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers, aimed at strengthening ties on issues pertinent to Nigeria and the broader African context. This MoU will cover collaboration on safer gambling, player protection, and taxation.
This marks the second MoU the AiA has entered into in just three weeks, following a recent agreement with the Association of Gaming Operators of Kenya established in late August.
