African Gaming Forum Brings Operators and Regulators Together During SBC Summit

The African Gaming Forum, held on 30 September at the Myriad Hotel in Lisbon, is a one-day, invite-only event designed to convene leading figures from across Africa's gaming industry. Created as part of SBC Summit week, the Forum assembles operators, regulators, lotteries, and industry associations for direct discussion of the challenges and prospects shaping gaming in Africa’s established and emerging markets.

Structure and Focus of the African Gaming Forum

This dedicated event balances conference sessions with networking opportunities to encourage both structured debate and informal connection. Seven conference sessions will unpack critical topics, while four networking slots allow attendees to engage outside the panel format. The agenda is organised in partnership with regional organisations, including iGaming Afrika and the African iGaming Alliance (AIA), to ensure conversations remain grounded in the realities of African markets.

Event Details

• Date: Wednesday, 30 September
• Venue: Myriad Hotel, Lisbon
• Time: 11:30 – 19:00
• Conference Sessions: 7
• Networking Opportunities: 4

African Gaming Forum: Stakeholder Representation

The Forum is structured to reflect the complexity of Africa's gaming landscape. Delegates include:

• Leading African operators and lotteries
• Regulatory authorities from diverse jurisdictions
• Industry associations offering expertise in compliance and market sustainability

Confirmations include major brands such as 1xBet, Bet9ja, Betway Africa, Hollywoodbets, KingMakers, M Sport, SportyBet, SunBet and World Sports Betting. Lottery organisations like Loterie Nationale du Bénin and National Lottery Kenya will also be present, connecting with leaders and agencies responsible for shaping regulatory and business climates.

Regulator and Association Involvement

Regulators from a wide array of countries have committed to participate, including:

• National Gaming Board (South Africa)
• Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya
• Lagos Lotteries & Gaming Authority (Nigeria)
• Ghana Regulatory Authority
• Gambling Board of Namibia
• Botswana Gambling Authority
• Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (South Africa)

Industry associations in attendance will include the Association of South African Bookmakers, Ghana Association of Sports Betting Operators, Association of Gaming Operators Kenya, International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR), and International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).

Key Topics at the African Gaming Forum

The conference addresses seven central issues impacting the future of gaming in Africa:

• Collaboration between regulators and operators to achieve balanced frameworks that promote growth, innovation, and player protection, while countering grey-market risks.
• Strategies for sustainable expansion, navigating diverse regulatory and cultural environments, and the development of iCasino verticals.
• Ghana's rise as a major African market and the role of regulatory evolution in its future.
• The implications of Kenya's new Gambling Control Act for compliance, responsible gambling, and market access.
• Navigating Nigeria's ongoing regulatory changes and fostering cooperation to unlock Africa’s largest market.
• Evaluation of potential tax changes, responsible gambling, and unlicensed activity in South Africa.
• Ethiopia’s recent iGaming ban, subsequent black market growth, and considerations for a new regulatory framework.

These sessions are headlined by panels featuring regional CEOs and regulators who bring direct, practical insights from operational and policy roles.

Notable Speakers and Their Perspectives

Speakers for the African Gaming Forum include sector leaders with operational and regulatory clout. Among those confirmed:

• Lungile Dukwana (CEO, National Gambling Board, South Africa)
• Bashir Are (CEO, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority)
• Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo (Acting Commissioner, Gaming Commission of Ghana)
• John Mutua (CEO, Association of Gaming Operators Kenya)
• Ronnie Whelan (CEO, Kingmakers)
• Kobby Boateng (President, Ghana Association of Sports Betting Operators)
• Sab Jhooti (Co-founder, Bongo Bongo)
• Jason Gibson (CPO, SportPesa)
• Simon Gregory (CEO, SunBet)
• Moruntshi Kemorwale (CEO, Gambling Authority Botswana)
• Sean Coleman (CEO, South African Bookmakers Association)
• Peter Maina Karimi (Director General, Kenya’s Gaming Regulatory Authority)
• Jeremiah Maangi (Founder & CEO, iGaming AFRIKA)

“The Forum’s mix of local regulators, association leaders and operator CEOs ensures that African market realities will lead every discussion,” said one organiser.

Networking at the African Gaming Forum

Recognising the importance of relationship-building in Africa’s fragmented market, the Forum devotes significant time to networking. The day’s agenda includes:

• 11:30–12:30: Welcome lunch hosted by Lungile Dukwana (National Gambling Board, South Africa) & Lois Bright (Women in Gaming, Africa)
• 14:00–14:30: Networking break
• 15:40–16:00: Further networking break
• 17:10–19:00: Networking drinks & buffet

These sessions allow for private dialogue on regulatory, commercial, and compliance strategies between operators, regulators, and associations from across the continent.

African Gaming Forum within the Global Industry Context

Staged during SBC Summit week, the African Gaming Forum is positioned within a broader international context, enabling attendees to access global expertise and foster valuable contacts. The aim is to move African gaming closer to the centre of the global industry conversation, supporting sustainable regional growth by leveraging lessons from established international markets.

The African Gaming Forum will serve as a platform for all stakeholders to address continental barriers, scrutinise emerging opportunities, and build cooperative relationships that will shape the next phase of African sector expansion.