State of Tension? Big Africa Supershow Arrives in the Nick of Time to Rescue Operators from Oppressive Regulation
Published February 25, 2019 by Lee R
Unfriendly regulation and staunch opposition from religious sectors are impeding other wise disruptive growth of the gambling sector in Africa.
Promoter Clarion has deemed the rapid approach of 6th Annual BiG Africa Supershow the perfect time to share its “state of the nations” assessment for the gambling sector in Africa.
The Event
Taking place at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg, South Africa from 25-26 March 2019, new regulatory changes will likely be on all regional operators' minds, with Clarion providing a breakdown of pressing needs born from tightening regulation in Africa gaming by region.
South Africa's Challenges
In South Africa, online gaming is set to suffer from tight regulation. At this juncture, operators are worried about specific provisions in the Gambling Amendment Bill.
Dog Racing Ban
One of these provisions is the illegalisation of dog racing and betting on it. Which though ethical will still leave many unemployed.
Centralisation of Licencing
Another is the centralisation of casino licencing and limited pay-out machines from local authorities to the National Gambling Board, as one of several measures which will centralize power over gaming in the region,
Licence Decrease
A decrease in licences issued will put some current operators in the region out of business while leaving others to compete fiercely for the remaining licences.
East African Tension
In East Africa, Clarion's state of African gambling address indicates big growth and tension for East Africa, where sports betting and other sports related content are the most searched topic of interest in Kenya, where the highest number of millennials take part in sports betting in sub-Saharan Africa—spending well above the $50 sub-Saharan monthly average. This activity flies in the face of the many regional leaders in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania whose pursuit of gambling bans intensifies.
BiG Contextual Support
Clarity on regulatory developments in the region and best practices for customer retention will be covered at the BiG Africa Supershow.
The Wild West
The final region is West Africa, which was deemed Africa's growth champion after Nigeria led as Gambling Outlook's five year measure of growth in Africa with an estimated 17% plus year-on-year.
Current State of Africa
Clarion's state of Africa gaming address concludes with the finding that regulation in its present form appears to be the key mitigating factor in the industry's otherwise defiant regional growth. Adapting to these changes and modifying the regulation trends remains foremost on the list of opportunities for operators and stakeholders fortunate enough to attend.
