Africa's booming gambling industry faces a regulatory crisis
Africa's gaming industry is growing rapidly, but weak regulations are causing issues. Online betting has surged, putting pressure on governments to improve oversight and player protection. New proposals and local initiatives aim to address these gaps.
Online gambling has spread quickly across Africa, revealing flaws in regulatory systems. In South Africa, betting—especially online sports wagers—brings in the most revenue. Yet provincial regulators struggle with digital oversight due to limited tools and staff. Zuko Phandle, Audit and Compliance Manager at the Eastern Cape Gambling Board, pointed out the lack of real-time data systems for tracking activity.
Nigeria faces similar challenges, with fragmented rules at federal and state levels. Fisayo Oke, CEO of Gamble Alert, highlighted inconsistent enforcement of responsible gaming standards. Weak accountability and poor enforcement have worsened the problem, leaving gaps in player protection. The Lagos State SafePlay Initiative, launched in 2023, has cut problem gambling by 25% in the region. It used self-exclusion tools, operator training, and public campaigns to make progress. To expand this nationwide, Nigeria would need federal laws, unified state systems by 2027, and partnerships with telecom firms.
The National Treasury has now proposed a 20% tax on online gambling revenue to fund harm reduction. Oke also warned of a broader issue: the industry invests too little in responsible gambling measures. Without stronger regulations and funding, risks to players will remain.
Regulatory gaps and weak enforcement continue to shape Africa's gambling landscape. While local efforts like Lagos's SafePlay Initiative show promise, broader reforms are needed. Tax proposals and tech upgrades could help, but success depends on coordinated action across federal and state levels.
