ALGA to establish continental Ombudsman for gaming disputes
The association says the proposed body will operate alongside existing gambling regulators rather than replace their statutory functions.
South Africa.- The African Lotteries & Gaming Association (ALGA) has announced plans to establish a continental Ombudsman to provide an independent mechanism for handling disputes and concerns in Africa’s lotteries and gaming industry. ALGA board chairperson Sebina Hlapolosa announced the proposal during the recently concluded ALGA CEOs Forum 2026 in South Africa.
The proposed Ombudsman will operate alongside existing gambling regulators rather than replace their statutory functions. ALGA said the initiative is intended to strengthen accountability, fairness and impartiality while giving industry stakeholders another avenue for having disputes considered.
Hlapolosa noted that stronger governance would be necessary to support the industry’s growth, particularly as regulators, operators and technology providers respond to developments in areas such as digital gambling and artificial intelligence.
The announcement comes as African gaming markets become increasingly interconnected, with operators, technology suppliers and other businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions with different licensing and dispute-resolution requirements. ALGA’s proposed continental structure seeks to provide an additional avenue for addressing disputes that extend beyond national jurisdictions.
ALGA said: “The announcement comes at a time of significant transformation across Africa’s lotteries and gaming landscape. Digitalisation, technological innovation, cross-border participation and the continued expansion of the sector are creating new opportunities, while simultaneously placing greater emphasis on effective governance, consumer protection, accountability and regulatory cooperation.
“ALGA believes that the institutions supporting the industry must evolve alongside the markets they serve. Sustainable growth cannot be measured solely through investment, innovation and market expansion. It must equally be supported by responsible governance, consumer confidence, effective accountability and mechanisms through which stakeholders can be heard and concerns can be considered objectively.
“The proposed Continental Dispute Resolution Ombudsman will form part of this evolving accountability ecosystem, providing an additional avenue through which confidence in the integrity and responsible development of the African lotteries and gaming sector can be strengthened.
“The initiative also gives practical expression to one of the central principles emerging from The Black Table: that the future of Africa’s gaming and lotteries industry must be built collaboratively.
“Regulators, operators, industry associations, technology providers, civil society and other stakeholders each have distinct roles to play in protecting the integrity and sustainability of the broader ecosystem.
“Through the establishment of the Ombudsman, ALGA intends to advance an environment in which institutions are strengthened, stakeholders are heard, leadership remains accountable and trust is positioned at the centre of industry progress.
“Further details regarding the proposed mandate, governance framework, jurisdiction, operating model and implementation of the Continental Dispute Resolution Ombudsman will be communicated as ALGA progresses with the development of the initiative.”
