Fisayo Oke on How Player Protection is the Foundation of a Successful iGaming Industry

Player protection is a core element for establishing a sustainable iGaming sector in Africa. Speaking at SiGMA Africa 2026, Fisayo Oke, CEO of Gamble Alert, emphasized the need to critically reevaluate the manner in which Africa’s iGaming industry approaches and implements responsible gambling initiatives. 

For the industry to achieve long-term sustainability, player health must be integrated into every technological and regulatory advancement. Fisayo argued that while the African market is currently “playing catch-up” with global standards, the path forward requires elevating responsible gambling to the same level of priority as data protection and anti-money laundering (AML).

Fisayo also proposed structural changes to the current licensing and corporate framework in place. He suggested that gaming operators should be required to appoint responsible gambling reporting officers, managerial-level decision-makers dedicated solely to monitoring behavioral indicators and player welfare.

“The same attention that we pay to money laundering and data protection must also be paid to responsible gambling. So, if we have money laundering reporting officers who are decision-makers in this big brand, we should also have responsible gambling reporting officers and player protection reporting officers who are in managerial positions so that we have people responsible for it,” Oke stated. He noted that having dedicated officers who “wake up every day” to focus on player protection would significantly shift the ground toward a safer ecosystem.

Addressing concerns that strict regulation might stifle growth, Oke maintained that innovation and player protection are not in competition. He indicated that the future of the industry’s existence is directly dependent upon ‘the health of the player’ therefore, integrating safety measures across the board for all new gaming products is critical.

“Responsible gambling is not a threat to the industry. Whether it’s innovation, regulation, or revenue, responsible gambling is the foundation. It is not a threat. So, they are not competing. It is not a matter of doing this a little and then doing that a little. The sustainability of the gaming industry itself depends on player health. Therefore, whatever innovation we want to introduce, we must incorporate player protection.”

“It’s not to say, let’s minimize messages so that we don’t disturb innovation. No. It’s to say that whatever innovation we pursue, we should also consider the health of the player. I believe they go hand in hand, but you cannot separate player protection from any innovation you’re making,” he added.

Technology advancements and the integration of AI are reshaping the iGaming industry. To take advantage of this trend, Gamble Alert has created an AI psychologist on their website. A tool specifically designed to address gambling addiction and problem gambling, offering a low-barrier entry point for players who may be hesitant to speak with a physical counselor.

The AI has been developed to identify gambling harm and refer users to a human psychologist if the user’s needs exceed the capability of the AI. This move illustrates Gamble Alert’s commitment to developing with the industry’s advancements in technology.

While Oke acknowledged the progress being made in certain jurisdictions, he was also realistic regarding the current condition of the continent’s regulatory framework. For example, he noted that many of Africa’s regulatory bodies remain underfunded, and their capacity has yet to match the rapid pace of change in gaming technology.

As he concluded, his final message to operators was clear, prioritizing short-term revenue over player protection is a losing strategy. “If you push revenue first, you will make money in the short term, but you will lose out in the end. Player protection is not a threat to the industry, it is, in fact, the foundation of a successful gaming industry.”