West Africa Comes Together in Lagos: is all of Africa Next?
Published July 23, 2017 by Lee R
Record-breaking crowds, fantastic sponsors, innovative exhibits had promoters Eventus all smiles.
West Africa is united!
The Site of Unification
The iGaming industry in the region came together like never before in Lagos’ Federal Palace Casino and Hotel July 17-19th as record-breaking attendance witnessed the first unification of regulatory boards from four nations at Sports Betting West Africa SbWA.
Representatives Coming Together
The integration came about as the fruits of the efforts at the hands of Representatives of Nigeria’s National Lottery Regulatory Commission; Ghana’s Gaming Commission, Sierra Leone’s State Lottery Company and Liberia’s National Lottery Authority.
These officials convened before the massive audience of stakeholders to clarify their roles as regulators, where they exchanged ideas and dialogued on the best way to achieve a “harmonized regulatory framework” across West Africa.
Integrating Local Models
The discussion focussed on the similarities between models among the four nations, culminating in the direct request from discussion moderator Christina Thakor Rankin for agreement on the spot to formalize a greater regional Western African Regulatory Forum.
Rapid Agreement
The immediate response was agreement from all four parties involved, much to the delight of the audience and the glee of Mrs. Rankin herself. The four representatives were willing and eager to embark on the challenging but fascinating and historic task of formalizing the forum.
Benefits
The unification of the model will facilitate the growing of regulators into each other’s markets, while empowering operators to acquire licenses in other countries as they confer and agree on one blacklist for operators whose licenses are revoked.
Promoters Celebrate
West Africa Congress organisers Eventus called the moment “truly magical to see how our hard work and passion for bringing people together has united four entire nations.”
Eventus Looks Forward
Event organisers celebrated the fact that this regional unification renders Africa an increasingly powerful and significant force on the global iGaming and economic markets, embracing and emphasising unity so that Africa can “make the most of all the opportunities that this continent has to offer.”
Credit Where Due
Eventus International also sent out a specific shout for assistance it received from the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers, as well as all sponsors and exhibitors for “ensuring that everyone had an amazing time.”
Will All Africa Unite?
The unification continues in Johannesburg, South Africa for the BiG Africa Supershow November 7-8th.
