By Esther Onyegbula & Matthew Johnson

Stakeholders in Africa’s gaming industry have called for stronger accountability, consumer protection and responsible gaming practices, warning that the industry’s rapid growth should not come at the expense of player welfare.

The call was made on Thursday at the Responsible Gaming, 2026 Symposium organised by Gamble Alert Nigeria in Lagos, where regulators, operators, healthcare professionals and advocacy groups gathered to deliberate on the theme, “Building Accountability: Strengthening Africa’s Model for Player Protection.”

Speaking at the symposium, the Chief Executive Officer Gamble Alert Fisayo Oke said the event was designed to address growing concerns about the impact of gaming on players and provide a platform for stakeholders to assess the industry’s responsibilities.

Oke noted that while operators and regulators often highlight the sector’s contributions to economic growth, increasing concerns from players about exploitation and the impact of gambling on vulnerable individuals could no longer be ignored.

According to him, the symposium has evolved from a national conversation during its maiden edition in 2025 into a continental platform attracting regulators, operators and stakeholders from across Africa.

He added that future editions would place greater emphasis on preventive measures aimed at reducing gambling-related harm before addiction develops.

“Very often we hear operators and regulators talk about the industry’s contribution to the economy, while on the other hand players raise concerns about exploitation. We felt it was important to bring all stakeholders together to examine these issues and begin asking the right questions.

“Last year it was largely a national conversation; this year it has become a continental engagement involving regulators, operators and stakeholders from different African countries. The level of participation and feedback shows that the initiative is gaining traction.
“We want responsible gaming to become like wearing a seatbelt. It should be a normal precaution for everyone participating in gaming, not just for those already facing addiction challenges,” Oke said.

In a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Gaming Alliance, Mr Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, Executive Secretary of Association of Nigerian Bookmakers (ANB), Mrs Olabimpe Akingba, stressed the need for an African player protection framework tailored to the continent’s realities while aligning with global standards.

Akingba observed that Africa’s gaming industry was witnessing unprecedented growth, driven by technological innovation, increased mobile penetration and growing investment inflows, making accountability and consumer protection more critical than ever.

She urged regulators, operators, researchers and advocacy groups to work together in developing a player protection framework built on education, evidence-based policies, collaboration and accountability.
“Player protection can no longer be treated as secondary to industry growth. Regulators, operators, investors and consumers are demanding accountability and asking how safer gaming tools can be made effective rather than symbolic,” she said.

Also speaking, Director of Special Projects and Mental Health at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Tolu Ajomale, identified inadequate data as a major challenge in addressing gambling-related addiction and associated mental health concerns.

Ajomale explained that many individuals affected by gambling-related harm often seek help for issues such as debt distress, domestic violence, depression and anxiety rather than gambling addiction itself, resulting in many cases remaining undocumented within the healthcare system.

He called for stronger collaboration among operators, regulators, healthcare professionals and advocacy organisations to improve data collection and policy responses.
Commending Gamble Alert for its intervention in the sector, Ajomale described the organisation as a vital bridge between players, operators and regulators.

“I commend Gamble Alert for this important symposium. The organisation is helping to identify challenges within the ecosystem and providing solutions that benefit both operators and players.
“The first thing we need is data. We need to know how many people are gambling and we need operators to share relevant information with government. That data will help policymakers design responsive and evidence-based interventions,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Legal and Services, Secretary and Lagos Adviser of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Mrs Adetoun Adeyemi, said stakeholders were committed to minimising the social risks associated with gaming while maximising its economic benefits.
She noted that gaming had emerged as one of the fastest-growing entertainment industries globally, generating employment opportunities for operators, agents, technology providers and young professionals, particularly within the digital and artificial intelligence sectors.

Adeyemi, however, acknowledged concerns over gambling addiction and other social challenges linked to the industry’s expansion, saying regulators were intensifying public enlightenment campaigns and stakeholder engagement efforts to mitigate the risks.

She maintained that effective regulation requires collaboration among all stakeholders, stressing that government agencies alone cannot address the challenges associated with gaming.
“We do not intend to scrap the gaming industry because it creates jobs and supports livelihoods. Our focus is to reduce the negative aspects and strengthen the positive impact of the sector on the economy,” she said.

The symposium brought together gaming regulators, operators, public health experts and advocacy groups from across Africa to explore practical strategies for strengthening player protection frameworks and promoting responsible gaming across the continent.