Regional Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa

Across different issues of the iGaming AFRIKA Magazine, a consistent theme has emerged from regulators and industry leaders across the continent. Growth is accelerating faster than the safeguards meant to support it. This has resulted to raising concerns about enforcement gaps and the need to strengthen responsible gambling frameworks as digital expansion continues. Fisayo Oke, CEO, Gamble Alert, pointed to structural weaknesses within Nigeria’s regulatory framework, particularly the fragmented oversight between federal and state authorities. He argued that responsible gaming standards differ significantly across jurisdictions, enabling operators to exploit weaker enforcement environments. While he acknowledged the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority’s SafePlay initiative as a positive step toward structured player protection and self-exclusion, he maintained that the absence of comparable systems in other states creates uneven accountability and inconsistent compliance standards across the country. Further south, Robin Bennett, Head of Department: Regulatory Compliance at the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, acknowledged in Issue Five, that responsible gambling measures have not advanced at the same speed as product expansion. “While the industry is rapidly expanding with new products and services, the measures for responsible gambling are not advancing at the same pace,” he said. Zuko Sydwell Phandle of the Eastern Cape Gambling Board in issue 7, highlighted the absence of real-time data systems, a gap that weakens proactive enforcement and leaves regulators responding after harm occurs. He emphasised that enforcement is not solely a regulatory issue but a criminal justice concern, requiring coordinated intervention from law enforcement agencies and the courts to address the broader criminal networks that sustain illegal gambling operations. Meanwhile, industry leaders such as Bwalya Noah, Regional Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa at betPawa, and Olabimpe Akingba, Regional Manager Africa, Business Development & Regulatory at pawaTech, have framed compliance and player protection as central to sustainable growth strategies. Both leaders emphasised that regulatory adherence is a strategic asset that strengthens brand credibility, builds long-term consumer trust and secures operational stability across multiple jurisdictions. In Namibia, Mr John Erastus of the Gambling Board of Namibia - GBN also outlined reforms focused on addiction treatment and public awareness in the country. He emphasised that the next phase of regulatory development must extend beyond licensing and revenue collection to include structured support systems for individuals affected by gambling harm. Read the full article through the link in comments! 👇 #iGaming #iGamingAFRIKA #GamblingIndustry #SouthernAfrica #WestAfrica #ResponsibleGaming #iGamingAFRIKAMagazine