Push for a Proper Gaming Legislation takes Center Stage at the Gaming Tech Summit Africa 2024
The gaming industry in Africa has grown exponentially, but with this growth comes the need for regulation. At the Gaming Tech Summit 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, regulators from across the continent gathered to discuss the importance of coming up with proper laws to properly govern the industry.
The conference attendees were able to gain insights into the diverse African gaming industry by learning from representatives from over 12 countries, each showcasing their unique perspectives and experiences.
According to Dr. Jane Makau, Chairperson of the Betting Control and Licensing Board, Kenya’s gaming industry is 58 years old, but the laws governing it are still based on a 1966 Act. It was, however, noted that Kenya is currently working on a new bill, the Kenya Gambling Control Bill 2023, which aims to refine the gambling sector, prioritize consumer protection, and promote responsible gambling.
The bill also proposes the establishment of a Gambling Regulatory Authority to replace the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB). Judy Kericho, Head of Legal Affairs at BCLB, emphasized the importance of monitoring operators’ compliance with licensing requirements.
Botswana on the other hand has a 2016 legislation that incorporates aspects of electronic monitoring systems. The country’s Gambling Authority has been deliberately planning amendments to stay abreast with recent advancements in online gaming, with the intention of doing so in a gradual and meticulous manner to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.
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Surprisingly, countries such as Namibia are still in the process of regulating the industry, “All operators in the sector are not regulated but once a gazettement of a regulation is out, all operators will be licensed.” said Ben Shikongo, Chair, Namibia Gambling Board
In Nigeria, which boasts the second-largest online gaming market in Africa, there is a growing need for regulation to protect consumers and operators. The country has a mix of legal and illegal gambling, with different states having different policies regulating the industry.
In addition, it became apparent that several African countries are now considering regulation as a means to sanitize the gambling industry and bring it in line with international standards, “A new policy will be out by next year, as we have three licensed companies. We need to ensure that our regulations are up-to-date to cater to the growing demand for online gaming,” stated Jean Claude, Director of Rwanda Gaming Association, during a panel discussion,
Paulo Jorge, the Director-General of Angola’s Instituto de Supervisao de Jogos, emphasized the importance of regulators being lenient, particularly in young African countries that have faced turmoil, such as civil wars and natural disasters, to attract investors.
According to Paulo, “For a long time, our country has been recovering from the effects of civil war, and the government is still in a fragile financial state. As a result, we need to regulate the gaming industry in a way that is friendly to investors, to encourage them to come and invest in our country.”
The summit highlighted the importance of regulating the gaming industry in Africa to ensure consumer protection, promote responsible gambling, and foster economic growth.
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