TLDR The African iGaming Alliance (AiA) has launched the first Africa Safer Gambling Week, starting Monday. The campaign, called #PlaySafeAfrica, runs annually and focuses on a different safer gambling topic each day. AiA CEO Peter Kesitilwe said industry growth must go hand in hand with stronger player protection. The AiA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers this week. This is the AiA’s second MoU in three weeks, following an August agreement with a Kenyan gaming body.
Africa’s gambling industry has launched its first coordinated safer gambling campaign. The African iGaming Alliance introduced Africa Safer Gambling Week this week.
The event began on Monday. It brings together regulators, operators and industry associations from across the continent.
The AiA said the initiative will run every year going forward. It is built around the idea that industry growth should come with stronger consumer protection.
Each day of the week focuses on a different theme. These include responsible gambling, personal spending limits and stopping underage gambling.
The campaign uses the banner #PlaySafeAfrica. It includes public education efforts and online awareness activities alongside meetings between regulators and operators.
What the AiA said about player protection
Peter Kesitilwe, the CEO of the AiA, spoke about the reasoning behind the launch. He said the industry’s expansion needs to be matched by better protections for players.
“As Africa’s gambling industry continues to grow, player protection must grow with it,” Kesitilwe said. He added that the week is meant to give regulators and operators a shared platform.
He also said operators support giving customers the tools and information they need. This includes helping people gamble responsibly on a daily basis.
Olabimpe Akingba, who leads responsible gaming at pawaTech and sits on the AiA board, also commented. She said the group has