Rolling the Dice on Regulation: The Future of African Gambling Laws

The gambling landscape in Africa is changing, with the industry expanding at an unprecedented rate. And with more countries embracing the economic potential of regulated gambling, it brings the topic of gambling laws into sharp focus. In particular, those focusing on the topic are policymakers and industry stakeholders, as well as citizens. The gambling industry could offer Africa a major boost. However, its potential to do that depends on regulation, which we'll explore in this piece.

People often forget how big Africa is. This is partly (or maybe even primarily) due to the projections of European cartographer Geert de Kremer, which made the continent appear much smaller than it was. When you begin to understand the full scale of the continent, you understand how frameworks can vary from country to country. It's no different with gambling. While the likes of South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria have relatively comprehensive gambling laws, other countries lag behind.

African success stories

Let's take Kenya, for example. The Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act of 1966 is the foundation for gambling regulation there. And while it was established almost 60 years ago, it has been updated several times since. These changes have reflected the development of the industry, including the advent of online gambling. Today, Kenyans can legally play casino online in Kenya through licensed operators, reflecting the country's progressive stance on digital gambling.

Further west, in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, strides are also being taken in gambling regulation. The National Lottery Act of 2005 established the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, which oversees lotteries and gaming activities. However, the regulation of online gambling remains a grey area, due to different states adopting varying approaches.

Challenges for the continent

Unfortunately for Africa, these countries are the outliers on the continent. Regulators across Africa continue to face challenges when it comes to holding the gambling industry accountable. For starters, the proliferation of smartphones and internet access has made it easier for people to access online gambling platforms. Often, people who are accessing these platforms are doing so from areas in which regulation is outdated. That is, of course, if the people accessing the platform are even from that area.

Online platforms let players access gambling services from operators based in other countries. This accessibility makes the issue more complex and raises questions about jurisdiction. Even if the problem is identified and viable solutions are provided, the stretched resources of these bodies don't go far enough to hire anyone to monitor these online spaces. If you're going to hire people for these roles, they need to be active 24/7, otherwise, there isn't any point, really.

But let's say they do have the money. As we mentioned earlier, gambling can be a big boost for governments. With the tax revenue and job creation that comes with this boom, it seems like a no brainer. However, the problem gambling and addiction associated with the industry show that there's a social cost. Having the right resources in place to help people who fall foul of this issue is crucial. It's also worth keeping in mind that cultural norms change when vice habits become so easily accessible. By planning ahead for worst-case scenarios, you're able to deal with those scenarios if they come to pass.

Many African countries will face opposition to the introduction of regulations that assist the growth of gambling. The reason for this could be cultural or religious, and it's a backlash that governments will need to brace themselves for.

The trends that may emerge

It seems inevitable that regulations will be made across Africa to assist the gambling industry. The question is 'when' rather than 'if'. And when it does happen, we can expect to see a number of trends develop across the continent.

The cross-border problems we mentioned earlier can likely only get resolution through a unified approach. Neighbouring countries will need to work together to ensure that gambling is safe and regulated. This will lead to a harmonisation of regulations across Africa, provided the countries have decent relations.

An emphasis on responsible gambling is likely to grow, especially as the problem develops across the continent. It's sadly inevitable that problem gambling will develop wherever gambling is prevalent. What would be truly tragic is to have no services in place to help those afflicted by the problem. Stricter gambling processes will also become the norm across Africa, with self-exclusion programs and betting limits becoming increasingly available.

Regulators could leverage technology to enhance their oversight capabilities. The growth of artificial intelligence could greatly assist countries with limited resources, especially with the objective of monitoring gambling activities. The surveillance of this kind will keep both customers and bookmakers safe. And with that online technology becoming increasingly sophisticated, countries may have to follow Kenya's lead in explicitly legalising and regulating online gambling.