Lagos gaming regulator urges African cooperation to strengthen industry
The regulator’s CEO, Bashi Are, said Africa’s gaming industry would benefit more from collaboration among regulators than from fragmented regulatory approaches.
Nigeria.- The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) has urged African regulators to adopt a more coordinated approach to gaming oversight, arguing that collaboration and balanced regulation are key to supporting the industry’s long-term growth.
Bashir Are, the Authority’s chief executive officer, made the remarks during a panel discussion at the iGB L!VE Africa Summit, organised by the African iGaming Alliance on July 1-2. Are joined Lungile Dukwana and Olabimpe Akingba for a session titled Towards Cooperative African Gaming Markets: Enabling Growth Through Best Practice.
The discussion focused on regulatory issues affecting the African gaming sector, including cross-border cooperation, the development of adaptable regulatory standards, player protection, and the impact of taxation on the sustainability of licensed gaming markets.
Speaking on behalf of the LSLGA, Are said Africa’s gaming industry would benefit more from collaboration among regulators than from fragmented regulatory approaches. He said regulators, policymakers and industry stakeholders should work together to exchange knowledge, adopt regulatory best practices where appropriate, and develop frameworks that protect consumers while encouraging innovation and investment.
Are also said taxation policies should support the long-term sustainability of regulated markets rather than place excessive financial pressure on licensed operators. According to him, disproportionately high taxes can discourage investment, reduce compliance and encourage operators to move into unregulated markets, limiting the effectiveness of regulatory oversight.
He said effective gaming regulation requires a balance between government revenue objectives, consumer protection and creating conditions that allow the regulated industry to grow sustainably.
The panel formed part of wider discussions at the summit on strengthening gaming regulation across African jurisdictions as more countries continue to expand or modernise their regulatory frameworks. Participants examined ways regulators could improve cooperation, share regulatory experience and respond to common challenges facing licensed operators and consumers.
The LSLGA said it will continue engaging with regulators and industry stakeholders across the continent to promote responsible gaming, strengthen regulatory standards and contribute to the development of a sustainable and well-regulated African gaming market.
