LONACI steps up player protection, prepares for WLA Level 4 certification in Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire’s national lottery is taking its player-protection drive nationwide as it prepares for WLA Level 4 responsible gaming certification, the association’s highest.
Côte d’Ivoire.- Côte d’Ivoire’s National Lottery (LONACI) has stepped up its player protection efforts with the rollout of a nationwide awareness campaign, expanding initiatives aimed at protecting players and promoting responsible gambling across the country.
The campaign follows LONACI’s achievement in February of becoming the first lottery operator in sub-Saharan Africa to obtain the World Lottery Association’s (WLA) Level 3 Responsible Gaming certification. The operator said it is now preparing to obtain the WLA’s Level 4 Responsible Gaming certification as it continues strengthening responsible gambling standards and player protection across Côte d’Ivoire.
After completing the first phase in the Abidjan District, the awareness caravan is travelling to cities across Côte d’Ivoire for a further three weeks, extending training and education across LONACI’s retail network.
The campaign was launched by Dramane Coulibaly, director general of LONACI and president of the African Lotteries Association (ALA), and brought together the operator’s sales, marketing, communications, human resources and responsible gaming teams.
In a statement, LONACI said: “More than a regulatory requirement, Responsible Gambling today constitutes a citizen’s commitment to the protection of gamblers, minors and the sustainability of an increasingly ethical and responsible gaming company.”
During the first phase, teams visited the municipalities of Plateau, Marcory, Abobo, Yopougon and Cocody, engaging vendors, retailers, bettors and sales agents through information, training and awareness sessions focused on responsible gambling principles.
The sessions highlighted the dangers of excessive gambling, encouraged players to treat gambling as a form of entertainment rather than a source of income, and reinforced measures to protect minors while supporting players displaying signs of risky gambling behaviour.
Retailers and vendors were also urged to strengthen compliance with responsible gambling rules by preventing underage gambling and directing players exhibiting risky behaviours to LONACI-supported assistance structures.
LONACI said the nationwide initiative forms part of its commitment to international best practices, adding: “True to its policy of promoting healthy and responsible gaming practice, it launched an extensive awareness caravan in the Abidjan District ahead of its deployment throughout the national territory.”
