Across Africa, gambling regulation and player protection are evolving rapidly. New laws, emerging regulators, and increasing political attention have firmly placed gambling safety on the agenda. At the same time, both regulators and operators often lack timely data, proven frameworks, and evidence-based tools needed for effective intervention.

Following the release of the International Player Safety Index: Africa by 1xBet and SBC Media, we spoke with Fisayo Oke, Founder and CEO of Gamble Alert, about how approaches to responsible gambling are evolving across the continent. In this part of the interview, he explains why player protection is a shared responsibility of regulators, operators, and society, the role KYC and AI play in this system, and why sustainable industry development is impossible without education and the formation of a new gambling culture.

– Should education play a central role in responsible gambling strategies in African markets?

– Absolutely. Education is fundamental. Without education, the other tools simply cannot work.

Players must first know that responsible gambling tools exist before they can use them. Awareness campaigns are therefore essential.

Education should go beyond the players themselves. It should include students, communities, gaming staff, and even families. We need to raise awareness about the risks of underage gambling, the vulnerability of students, and the broader consequences of harmful gambling behavior.

In many cases, gaming staff themselves are vulnerable because they are constantly exposed to gambling environments. So education must address the entire ecosystem.

You can think of education as the foundation of the structure. If you remove it, the whole system collapses.

– Initiatives that help players understand and monitor their betting behaviour are becoming more common. What role do they play in building a culture of responsibility?

– These initiatives are very important, like 1xBet’s initiative 1xBalance.com. Some people argue that if an operator promotes responsible gambling tools while also marketing its products, it may appear contradictory. But I see it differently.

It shows that operators are beginning to recognise that player protection is essential for sustainability.

In the past, gambling advertisements often glamorised betting and focused exclusively on potential winnings. Now we are starting to see messaging that acknowledges the importance of balance and responsible play. Over time, this shift could help reshape gambling culture.

– Looking ahead, what will shape the future of responsible gambling in Africa?

– Artificial intelligence will certainly play a role. However, I believe culture and awareness will be even more important.

AI can be used to identify risky behaviour and protect players, but it can also be used to encourage gambling through targeted marketing. Algorithms already influence our behaviour on social media platforms, and they can do the same with gambling.

The real transformation will come through education and cultural change. I expect to see stronger awareness campaigns and a gradual shift toward viewing gambling as entertainment rather than as a source of income.
 

– To what extent is responsible gambling a personal responsibility versus an industry responsibility?

– There are two ways to approach this.

From a public health perspective, society expects regulators and operators to protect the public regardless of individual choices.

From a responsible gambling perspective, two key principles apply:

1. The decision to gamble or not gamble belongs to the individual.

2. Operators and regulators must ensure that individuals make informed decisions.

This means responsibility is shared. Players make the choice, but operators and regulators must provide transparent information about the risks.

Historically, the industry has framed responsible gambling as purely an individual responsibility. We believe the conversation should shift toward player protection, where responsibility is shared across the ecosystem.
 

– What role should operators play in community education?

– Operators should support these efforts, but not necessarily lead them directly.

A more effective approach is for operators to partner with credible NGOs that already work within communities.

For example, when our organisation conducts community outreach programs, we invite operators to support the initiative financially but ask them not to display branding during the activities. Vulnerable communities should not feel they are being marketed to.

Afterwards, operators can be acknowledged transparently for their support. This approach maintains credibility while still allowing the industry to contribute.
 

– Which tools are most effective for identifying early signs of risky gambling behaviour?

– Strong KYC systems are the most important starting point.

KYC allows operators to understand the profile of each player. Once you know that profile, you can monitor behaviour against expected patterns.

For example, we encountered a case in Nigeria where a student usually placed small bets — around $2.50. Within a year, the same player suddenly began placing bets of $1,000.

That kind of change is a clear red flag.

When the case was investigated, it turned out the individual had been using a stolen card and lost the entire amount through gambling.

If behavioural monitoring systems had been stronger, that pattern should have been detected earlier.

Tools like deposit limits, self-exclusion, timeouts, and loss limits are all important. But before you can use those effectively, you need strong KYC systems that allow you to understand player behaviour and identify risks early.

 

 

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