African Responsible Gaming Network launches to protect players, strengthen responsible gambling

A new coalition bringing together responsible gaming (RG) organizations, treatment specialists, researchers, advocates and industry stakeholders across Africa, called the African Responsible Gaming Network (ARGN), will focus on advancing player protection and addressing gambling harm across the continent.

Industry-leading RG organizations and researchers support the initiative

The Network unites the efforts of countries across Africa by bringing together representatives from Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana, Cameroon and Uganda, among other countries.

Among the founding members of the ARGN are recognizable RG organizations, including Gamble Aware Nigeria, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation and Gamble Pause Initiative Africa, among others.

Lebo Seoheng, the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation's Advocacy and Communications Manager, has been appointed to the role of ARGN President, bringing a range of skills and overseeing the Network's strategic direction and expansion.

"The African iGaming market is a rapidly growing market, and as online and sports betting expand their offering and continental market share, it is important that player protection and responsible gambling remain at the center of their operations for a sustainable market and regulators create a safer environment through effective legislation and regulations to reduce gambling related harm, which may lead to gambling addiction and other related mental health and behavioral addictions and as a consequence overburden Africa’s healthcare systems," Seoheng said.

Simon Vincze, Casino Guru's Head of Sustainable and Safer Gambling and an active advocate for Responsible Gambling, is one of the members of ARGN's Advisory Board.

"Online gambling has recorded exponential growth across Africa over the last few years, while responsible gambling initiatives have yet to achieve the same level of visibility and adoption," he said.

Moreover, Vincze pointed out: "I welcome the African Responsible Gaming Network and truly believe that the initiative can create promising conditions for effective gambling harm prevention and make a meaningful difference across the African region. I am happy to bring my experience and dedication to the Network's Advisory Board and help in the fight against gambling harm on the continent."

The Network will focus on several key priorities

ARGN's ultimate goal is to develop a unified African platform focused on responsible gambling, prevention, treatment and education.

The Network will also actively dedicate resources to the development of responsible gaming policies, as well as research in the field, with the goal of enhancing the protection of the players and decreasing problem gambling and harm.

The newly founded Network will aim at four key goals with the list including the development of an African gambling harm insight brief that combines ongoing trends, research and analytical evidence recorded across the continent.

Another priority of the ARGN will be the development of policy recommendations for policymakers and regulatory bodies that include responsible gaming measures which can be easily implemented.

The Network will also focus on organizing and coordinating prevention, education and awareness cross-country campaigns while dedicating resources to the establishment of a directory for treatment, recovery and support services available to residents across African countries.

The launch of ARGN coincides with a key moment in the development of the gambling industry across Africa.

With online and land-based gambling growing rapidly, the options for addressing gambling harm remain restricted.

ARGN seeks to make a difference precisely in this aspect by supporting the establishment of player protection measures, responsible gambling policies, preventing harm and raising awareness of the dangers of excessive gambling.

Image credit: African Responsible Gaming Network