Licensing decisions made by gaming regulators in Gabon and Zambia embody the continuing trajectory of gaming in Africa.
The Gabon National Lottery (GDJ) has invited third-party operators wishing to operate in the country to apply for a new licence under the organisation.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Gaming Association (ZGA) has issued an ultimatum to licensees to address issues related to non-compliance with gaming laws amid a continued inspection of betting and gaming companies in the country.
Gabon courts new operators
As part of the GDJ’s overhaul, all current gaming licences in Gabon will expire from 7 July, with operators now being required to express interest in working within the new licensing framework.
According to the regulator, the decision to move towards a new legal framework has been taken in order to modernise the country’s gambling sector and provide better protection for the state and users.
The GDJ holds a monopoly over entertainment, gambling and games of chance in Gabon, and is now seeking to put in place a ‘transparent, fair and rigorous selection procedure’ to find new licensing partners.
Gabon’s regulated industry is currently limited to land-based operations. However, the move to shift licensing and invite greater third-party investment may lead to a consideration of how online gaming could fit within current regulations.
Zambia gets tough on non-compliance
Shifting focus further South, the ZGA’s focus on compliance has stemmed from the growing popularity of betting and gaming in the country, according to the regulator, which has been driven by digital growth and increasing mobile connectivity.
Noah Malungila, President of the ZGA, told local press that the regulator has been alerted to a high-level of non-compliance with Zambia’s gambling regulations, leading to the need for greater inspections.
The inspections will take place with the assistance of Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), the Immigration Department and local councils.
Malungila told local reporters: “It has come to the attention of the authority that there have been many negative issues in the way this business is conducted in the country. Additionally, these issues have been compounded by tax evasion, where compliance is not observed.”
There are approximately 85 licensed operators across Zambia, split across the land-based and online gaming sectors.
iGaming Expert Analysis: Both steps mark a trajectory for the African market as it builds momentum towards increased compliance as the popularity of the sector continues to grow.
The timing of the enforcement is also vital as mobile penetration is only set to rise, and access to online gaming reaches a transformative crossroads.
Previously, Dmitry Staroctenkov, CEO of EvenBet Gaming, expressed his excitement over the growth of mobile usage for the online casino space.
He stated: “Ten years ago, online gaming in Africa seemed impossible, and now, it has come to fruition and boasts strong potential. When considering the continent’s technology and connection, there are notable limits. However, I don’t think anyone can underestimate the importance of a whole new region with a 1.4 billion population being added to the iGaming map in only a few years.”
