African gaming regulators to establish joint blacklist for non-compliant operators
The measure targets violations such as underage gambling and other regulatory breaches.
Nigeria.- Gaming operators and regulators from across Africa have agreed to establish a joint blacklist for companies that violate industry regulations. The announcement was made during a press conference in Lagos on February 28, where organisers also outlined plans for the 2026 Africa Gaming Expo, scheduled to take place from March 24 to 27 at the Eko Convention Centre.
Bashir Are, CEO of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, explained the blacklist proposal, saying: “We have concluded to implement what is called an African blacklist. We can blacklist operators together on the continent. So harm to one is harm to all. We have to protect the residents because it is a form of consumer protection.”
The measure targets violations such as underage gambling and other regulatory breaches. Are outlined the steps currently being taken to prevent underage gambling, including monitoring physical venues through mystery shoppers who attempt to place bets without proper ID and imposing heavy fines on operators that do not comply.
For online platforms, enforcement is supported by banking rules, which require users to link their accounts to Nigeria’s national identification number and bank verification number before funding wallets or placing bets.
Are also noted that Nigerian regulators are strengthening cooperation with counterparts in South Africa, Ghana, Gambia, Malta, the United Kingdom, Jamaica and Brazil to exchange information on problematic operators. He said: “Online is borderless. So we have what is called reciprocity enforcement.” Under this system, regulators send reports to each other whenever an operator violates rules in any jurisdiction.
The briefing was attended by Charles Ekundayo, CEO of the African Gaming Expo; Adenike Oyebamiji, COO of the expo; Samuel Roland, COO of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority; Sheriff Olaniyan, Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Bookmakers and Tamunopreye Tuadibofa, Executive Secretary of the same association.
