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At the recent Responsible Gaming Symposium, user protection advocates, betting operators, and industry stakeholders united to emphasize the urgent need for significant reforms in Nigeria’s gambling sector.
Themed ‘Building a Sustainable Industry Through Responsible Gaming,’ the symposium, which was held on Wednesday (June 11), highlighted the pressing issues surrounding gambling addiction and the importance of responsible practices. Opening the event, Professor Peter Olapegba, Conference Chairperson for Gamble Alert, declared, “It’s clean-up time.”
He urged gaming operators to take proactive steps in addressing the unintended consequences of gambling by ensuring that treatment and therapeutic interventions are accessible for those struggling with addiction.
Professor Akinola Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, was also present and stressed the commission’s commitment to tackling gambling addiction by prioritizing mental and social health alongside physical health. He noted that a considerable portion of “risky behavior” seen in the community was a result of inadequate mental, social, and environmental health, which led to him reworking the theme of the symposium: “sustainability of the gaming industry is dependent on the stability of its players.”
‘Responsible Gambling is the Responsibility of Everyone,’ Says Operators
At the symposium, panelists directed much of their focus towards gaming operators, urging them to step up their efforts in promoting responsible gambling. Gossy Ukanwoke, Managing Director of BetKing, emphasized the collective responsibility inherent in addressing gambling issues. He stated, “Responsible gambling is the responsibility of everyone from the players to the operators, to the platform providers. We take this issue seriously at BetKing, it’s not a PR stunt.”
Olabimpe Akingba, Regional Manager for PawaTech, shares this sentiment, stressing the need for operators to integrate responsible gambling practices into their business models. “If you’re an operator and you have yet to embed responsible gambling in your business, that must be your next course of action after this symposium,” she stated.
Both BetKing and BetPawa are actively working to combat gambling addiction. BetKing trains its customer care representatives to identify signs of problem gambling, while Akingba highlighted how BetPawa collaborates with mental health organizations and provides self-help tools for users.
Kayode Kolawole, the Responsible Gaming Officer for Bet9ja, shared insights into their proactive measures against gambling addiction and underage gambling. He explained, “If an individual opts for self-exclusion online and tries to access physical shops, we alert our agents to prevent such attempts. For underage gambling, we ensure that age verification cannot be bypassed, and if a minor is allowed to stake, the responsible agent will be delisted.”
Adewale Akande, Bet9ja’s Head of Legal, reinforced the company’s commitment by stating that they not only allocate funds from the “good cause levy” towards treatment but also cover the expenses for individuals seeking help.
Olafadeke Akeju, Managing Partner at WYS Solicitors & Legal Counsel Africa, called for patience, reminding everyone that the gaming industry is still emerging. “This symposium is specifically addressing responsible gambling, which shows we are aware of the issue and are making progress,” he noted.
In closing, Olapegba urged the government to take a more active role in regulating and enforcing measures against problem gambling. He highlighted the importance of family and community involvement in early detection. “Pay attention to changes in mood, anxiety disorders, and increased crime rates. Look for signs that indicate someone is prioritizing gambling over their daily responsibilities, as these can signal a transition from recreational gambling to problem gambling,” he advised.
Source: iGamingAfrika
