GAMING FOR AFRICA
IAGR Calls for Speakers for Upcoming Botswana Conference
The International Association of Gaming Regulators is looking for speakers to share their ideas, work, research and expertise at the eagerly anticipated annual conference in Botswana. Speaker submissions are open until 28 February 2023. IAGR2023: Bringing Ideas Together will be held
in Gaborone, Botswana, from 16 to 19 October 2023. The conference will be a live, in-person event, with international gambling regulatory stakeholders, government officials and speakers coming together from across the globe. Hosted by the Botswana Gambling Authority,
the conference comes hot on the heels of IAGR’s hugely successful ‘back in person’ conference in Melbourne last year.
“Melbourne saw the most diverse range of
speakers and topics at an IAGR conference yet, with over 250 delegates listening, debating and learning from each other. We want to deliver the same and more for IAGR2023 in Botswana,” said IAGR President Dr Jason Lane. “Global trends of progress and struggle have dominated 2022 - this is as true for the regulated businesses in our sector as it is for the consumers we aim to protect. “IAGR2023 will look through the prism of our full
range of interests to see how they can help point us to a more front-foot regulatory future,” said Dr Lane. Mr. Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe, CEO (Acting) from
Botswana Gambling Authority said, “My colleagues and I are honoured IAGR has chosen Botswana to
host this year’s conference. We look forward to welcoming regulatory peers to our beautiful country. “The conference creates a formidable forum to
share regulatory best practices, identify future challenges and opportunities and discuss the latest research and trends. It’s an ideal opportunity to build on our combined efforts to ensure effective gambling regulation worldwide.” IAGR consists of representatives from gaming
regulatory organizations throughout the world. IAGR’s mission is to advance the effectiveness and efficiency of gaming regulation.
Why Ghana is Attracting the Biggest Betting Operators in the World
Ghana may not be the biggest nation in Africa, but the country is definitely flexing its muscles in the online gambling world. Not only is Ghana considered amongst the
top gambling markets on the continent, the west African nation has also been getting plenty of love from international observers. The top order of online betting in sub-
Saharan Africa is pretty much set, with South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya leading the way, but Ghana has arguably become the best of the rest and is knocking furiously at the doors of the bigger boys. With a population of just over 30 million and
an area of under 250,000 square kilometres, that is quite the achievement! By comparison, the South African and
Kenyan population figures are hovering around the 60 million mark, while Nigeria towers above everyone else with their 200 million plus people. The Big 3 may hold the bragging rights for
now, in terms of positions, but Ghana is constantly chipping away. Ghana sent a strong message of intent in November 2022, when it managed to lure global giants, bet365 into the country.
30 FEBRUARY 2023 Bet365 is the biggest betting site in the world.
They are present in many nations and continents, across Europe and the Americas, but their entry into Ghana was their first official foray into Africa. “It was our preferred location for our first
launch into Africa, as one of the most highly regulated, and highly regarded betting markets on the continent”, a bet365 official said in a glowing endorsement of Ghana’s gambling chiefs. The Gaming Commission has endured plenty of
criticism during its nearly two-decades of existence, but this is surely a major feather in its cap. Bet365 follows in the footsteps of many top
betting sites to launch in Ghana, with betway, 1xBet, 22Bet, Betking, Betika, Mozzartbet and more all registered and licensed in the country. As pointed out in the bet365 statement,
Ghana’s regulated gambling space has been a major attraction for these big betting players, but that is not the only thing that has been pulling them into the country. Ghana has a strong sporting tradition. It is one
of the top football nations in Africa, with multiple AFCON successes and appearances at the World Cup. This sets a natural foundation for sports betting.
Over the last few years, that foundation has been built upon to become the big structure it is today. The rate of sports betting has been boosted by several factors. Technology has played a major role, with mobile penetration and internet accessibility constantly on the rise. Perhaps, the most important catalyst has
been the advent of mobile money, which has significantly improved the financial inclusion in Ghana, making it super easy for Ghanaians in all spheres of life to pay for goods and services over their mobile phones. Ghana is a mobile money force not only in Africa, but also in the world.
All of these have combined to make Ghana a
truly attractive prospect for the biggest bookmakers in the world. There are now over 70 gambling sites in
Ghana, with additional interest growing. (Article courtesy of Happy Ghana)
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