Nigeria’s Lagos Gaming Authority wins prestigious IAGR 2025 Regulatory Innovation Award in Canada
LSLGA honoured for its pioneering SAFEPLAY initiative, setting a benchmark for responsible gambling across Africa.
Nigeria.- Nigeria’s Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) has won the Regulatory Innovation Award for its SAFEPLAY initiative at the 2025 International Regulatory Awards in Toronto, Canada. The award was presented by the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR), recognising LSLGA’s efforts to strengthen consumer protection in gaming.
SAFEPLAY is Nigeria’s first program that allows players to exclude themselves from multiple gaming operators at once, helping to prevent problem gambling. Centrally managed by LSLGA and fully integrated with licensed operators’ systems, it provides a consistent, replicable framework for responsible gambling and serves as a model for other regulators in Africa.
LSLGA CEO Bashir Abiola-Are said, according to an IAGR statement: “We are honoured to receive the IAGR Regulatory Innovation Award for our SAFEPLAY initiative. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to responsible gambling, player protection and data-driven regulation that puts the welfare of Lagos residents at the heart of our innovation.”
Benchmarking responsible gambling in Africa
The award was presented by IAGR Vice President Brian Krolicki, with the LSLGA team attending the conference. According to IAGR President Ben Haden, awardees were selected based on “measurable progress and sustainable outcomes”, clear problem definitions, robust interventions and evidence of impact. He added that the Regulatory Innovation Award highlights thoughtful reforms and targeted innovations that improve consumer protection and market integrity.
SAFEPLAY reflects Lagos State’s broader commitment to responsible gaming and regulatory transparency. Backed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the initiative connects self-exclusion measures across operators, strengthening enforcement and showcasing Lagos as a leader in player protection in Africa.
The award highlights Nigeria’s leadership in responsible gaming. SAFEPLAY shows how Lagos is setting a benchmark for player protection and regulatory innovation across Africa.
