Exclusive: iGaming AFRIKA's Jeremiah Maangi Speaks on Game-Changing Innovations for the African Betting Market

The Chief Executive Officer of iGaming AFRIKA, Jeremiah Maangi recently sat down with SportsBoom for an exclusive interview, discussing important matters such like betting laws in the African continent, new reforms and everything iGaming AFRIKA stands for.

iGaming AFRIKA were official media partners of the recently concluded SBC Summit in Lisbon, representing the larger African continent as they bid to share more knowledge of the African gaming ecosystem to the world.

While Jeremiah opined strongly that the brand is passionate about responsible gambling, there could still be illegal operators who thrive. And with more effort, they could be extinguished.

About sportsbooks conforming to gambling laws in Africa and if regulations are being taken to ensure this

When queried on if regulations are being taken to see that bookies are complying with betting rules in Africa, Jeremiah spoke in affirmative but confirmed that there are some perceived inconsistencies surrounding it.

"Yes, there are efforts to ensure that sportsbooks in Africa comply with local gambling laws, though the regulatory landscape varies significantly by jurisdiction", Jeremiah told betting news site SportsBoom.com.

"Many African nations have established specific gambling laws and regulatory bodies to oversee betting activities, but enforcement and compliance can be inconsistent. Despite these efforts, the enforcement of regulations can be patchy, and illegal or unlicensed operators may still exist. The landscape is expanding as countries continue to adapt their laws to the growing popularity of sports betting."

Centralised gaming regulation for Africa — can it work?

Talks have grown recently about Africa getting centralized gaming regulations, a move which will allow certified sportsbooks to do business all around African countries, and Jeremiah thinks it a welcome development, capable of yielding even bigger financial dividends for every party involved. However, there are challenges that need be tackled.

"Centralised gaming regulations for the African market present multiple potential benefits along with several significant challenges that must be addressed", he said. "One of the primary advantages is streamlined compliance. Additionally, centralised regulations could enhance consumer protection by ensuring consistent measures are in place to promote responsible gambling and safeguard against fraud."

"Also, this organised approach could increase tax revenue for governments, as a clear taxation structure for gaming operations might yield higher financial returns."

Jeremiah continued, stating the challenges this could face. "However, these benefits must be weighed against the challenges inherent in such an approach. Africa's diverse legal cultures and varying attitudes toward gambling complicate the creation of a one-size-fits-all regulatory model. Enforcement issues pose another hurdle, as ensuring compliance across different jurisdictions can be problematic, particularly given the disparities in regulatory capacity and resources among countries."

Any new initiatives from iGaming AFRIKA promoting responsible gambling?

"We are passionate about promoting responsible gaming, which is why we dedicate many of our resources and platforms to encourage responsible gambling through the content we create", he stated.

"We believe that maintaining responsible gambling practices is essential for achieving balance in the gaming industry. One of our primary strategies for advancing this initiative is by engaging influential industry leaders to speak on the importance of responsible gambling, among other approaches."