Grappling with Sports Betting Addiction and Africa as a Key Market: Elbet's Patrick Udu Discusses Salient Points
Patrick Udu, Global Business Development Manager for Elbet, discusses the growing African sports betting market, addiction challenges, and the impact of sportsbook sponsorship on sports teams in an exclusive interview.
SportsBoom recently caught up with seasoned i-gaming industry expert, Patrick Onyinye Udu and in an exclusive interview, the Global Business Development Manager for Elbet talked about the impact of sports betting on Africa, and how it tends to be addictive if left uncontrolled and what he feels about teams getting sponsorship from sportsbooks.
Elbet Limited, licensed, and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority are a robust provider of variety of virtual games with no fewer than 70 sportsbook clients worldwide.
Having worked as the regional manager sales, Africa for the platform before his promotion, Patrick believes Africa is a key market for any booming sportsbook, and rightly so.
How most African punters see betting
Recent data has shown sports betting in the African market to be currently valued over $4 billion and is still expected to well surpass that figure by double by the time 2030 draws around, growing at a CAGR of about 8.2%.
It is scarcely hard to fathom the reason why. With over 460 million people in sub-Saharan Africa currently living in abject poverty dating back to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, most people in the region who bet on sporting events see betting as a poverty alleviation exercise, a notion which Patrick affirmed on.
"Africans see sports betting as an easy route to alleviate poverty and improve livelihood", a light-hearted Patrick told betting news site SportsBoom.com.
But it often results in negative impacts due to its addictive nature. We have seen that. Due to the unpredictability of the results involved in sports, it is not often going that way, you know, that way of gains.
Patrick Edu Elebet
Battling addiction and underage gambling
Patrick reiterated how addictive betting could be, and the need to enforce its age restriction policies by betting platforms.
When queried on how addiction and underage gambling can be controlled, he said: "Well, there is already an age restriction for minors, which is very important. However, all adults should acknowledge other responsibilities, and there is absolutely nothing that can be done about that, about that one."
"All that need promoted more is the gambling awareness, no one needs to use emotions while at it. The more you chase one's losses, there is every chance that it gets to you. You must avoid that. Go touch some grass, and get in the reality. There's that prize money that can turn one's head but get in the reality and throw what you can afford to lose at the bookies."
Now in the continent, in places like South Africa and Nigeria, several movements are being put in place to foster gambling awareness, establishing a unique organisational structure aimed at promoting responsible betting.
What's in it for sports teams getting sponsorship from sportsbooks and is it right?
Recall that there have been recent calls for a number of sports teams, particularly Premier League clubs to do away with promoting sportsbooks on their match day front shirts, a move that had threatened a massive loss in annual sponsorship deals for affected sides.
Patrick feels it is a bit difficult judging whether it is right or wrong, or maybe the governing bodies could device an efficient way of checkmating against sportsmen meddling with betting, rather than jettison the idea completely.
"The issue is quite complex, but I see it as being about branding awareness and making a profit through sponsorships. On the other hand, sports governing bodies do not allow players to place bets and penalize them for the outcomes.
But in general, I see it as a form of branding and awareness, and they are of two different interests due to their relation.
Patrick Edu Elebet
Since he broke loose from the shackles of long hours huddled up in a hot classroom learning Mandarin Chinese and Pinyin at the famous Confucius Institute, UNIZIK, Emmanuel Chinaza has embraced sports and football in particular, and it helped that he grew up in the football-crazy city of Anambra.
- 32Red Withdrawal Methods: Fast and Secure Cashouts
- How to Deposit on 32Red? Safe and Quick Payment Methods
- 32Red Mobile App Guide 2024 – Bet On the Go!
- 32Red Customer Service | 24/7 Reliable Support & Assistance
- How to Deposit on BlueFox Casino? Fees, Time, and Limits
- How to Contact BlueFox Customer Service? 24/7 Assistance
- Bluefox Withdrawal Methods 2024: Fees, Limits, & Problems
- Claim Bluefox Bonus Offers 2024: Top Promotions & Rewards
- How to Withdraw from Cryptorush? Safe & Quick Cashout Options
- How to Deposit on Cryptorush? Fees, Time, and Limits
- Unlock Exclusive 32Red Bonuses & Promotions
- Cryptorush Bonus Offers 2024: Unlock the Best Promo Codes and Rewards
- Complete Vave App Guide - Features & Betting On the Go
- Vave Customer Support: 24/7 Assistance for All Your Queries
- Vave Deposit Methods | Crypto Fees, Time, & Limits