A new organization called the African Responsible Gaming Network (ARGN) is seeking to reduce gambling harm across Africa. This will centralize Africa’s safer gaming efforts, boosting player protection.
ARGN Seeks to Protect African Players from Problem Gambling
The ARGN is comprised of various organizations, industry stakeholders, experts, and treatment specialists. Some well-established organizations that will serve as the founding members include Gamble Aware Nigeria, Gamble Pause Initiative Africa, and the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation. Representatives of many more African countries have also joined the ARGN. The organization is also set to receive outside support from foreign countries, such as Austria, which has applauded the initiative.
The launch of this new network will see members champion responsible gambling across the entire continent, contributing to localized efforts to reduce addiction.
While safer gambling is definitely not a new concept, organizations in Africa have previously focused on their own countries. The ARGN will provide these bodies with opportunities to collaborate, share their experiences, and improve their safer gaming initiatives.
The ARGN’s focus will be on collecting a continent-wide evidence base on gambling harm and using that evidence to treat harmed individuals and propose policy recommendations that reduce the risks of addiction.
Reducing Harm Will Reduce the Strain on Healthcare Systems
The ARGN will be headed by Lebo Seoheng, who will serve as its first president. For reference, the appointee is the advocacy and communications manager for the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation.
Seoheng commented on the urgent need to crack down on problem gambling. According to him, the iGaming sector has been experiencing rapid growth in Africa, outpacing the development of safer gambling solutions. Because of that, he believes that Africa needs to adapt to the rapidly growing online gaming market and introduce policies that adequately shield players from harm.
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.
Lebo Seoheng, president, ARGN
Seoheng added that regulatory bodies across Africa must make sure that the gaming environments they are responsible for are effective in reducing gambling harm and the addictions and behavioral disorders it can potentially lead to.
According to Seoheng, effective harm reduction would also reduce the burden on Africa’s healthcare systems.
In other Africa-facing news, leading gaming provider Yggdrasil just bolstered its reach in South Africa through a new deal with Sunbet. Per this deal, Yggdrasil will power its new partner with a variety of bespoke and third-party games.