Responsible Gambling Summit 2025 Spotlights African iGaming Trends

Responsible gambling is an ongoing concern for many countries around the world. Too strict and the black market flourishes, yet if a country’s laws are too relaxed, it can lead to social problems. So why is the Responsible Gambling Summit 2025 so important for getting this right? 

It has been announced that the Responsible Gambling Summit for 2025 will be held in South Africa. Taking place between the 13th and 14th of November, it will be held at the Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park, Gauteng. The aim of the summit will be to align responsible gambling practices across the continent, in an area where iGaming is growing at a rapid pace.

The RGS 2025 Agenda

The event will be organised by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation. Amongst public policy makers, NGOs, and industry leaders, many of South Africa’s major bodies will be in attendance. This includes the Limpopo Gambling Board, National Gambling Board, KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulator Authority, and the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board.

One key area will be to turn any discussions into measurable action plans. Biennial reporting will then be conducted on the steps put in place to ensure that the summit is serving a purpose. There is also a drive to make sure standards in Africa match those of the best ones in the world.

Events will include panel discussions, presentations, and workshops. This will increasingly be focused on mental health, fair regulation, and emerging technologies. Topics to be discussed have been broken down into seven distinct areas:

• Understanding Gambling Behaviors and Disorders
• International Best Practices and Preparing for the Future
• Public Awareness and Education
• Challenges in Responsible Gambling Implementation
• Gambling and Vulnerable Populations
• Regulation, Policy Development, and Compliance
• Innovation, Technology, and Responsible Gambling

There has also been a call put out for speakers. Anyone who is a researcher, advocate, or industry expert should apply with a 250-word abstract, along with a biography.

A Conference such as this shows how much gambling has changed in Africa. Robin Bennet, who is the Head of Compliance at the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, remarked that in the late nineties, when gambling was legal in South Africa, “There were instances when the topic was left off the agenda entirely”. However, he also cited the 1995 Wiehan Report, which also said, “The legalisation of gambling will eventually bring with it certain social consequences, including problem gambling.”

The Growth of iGaming in Africa

With 54 countries and a population of 1.477 billion, it is obvious to see why Africa is such a lucrative market for the iGaming sector. Yet this has typically been blocked by problems regarding connectivity and digital infrastructure. The under-35 market is growing fast, as more of the continent’s youth become connected and tech-savvy.

Much of this is focused on mobile traffic, with around 75% of all internet traffic coming from phones. However, figures for all internet usage have been on an upward trend in the country. In 2010, there were 100 million users, and by 2022, this had grown to 602 million.

As a result, the continent now has some spectacular operators. These often offer free spins no deposit bonuses for slots and related offers for table games. By providing a service that requires no deposit, new players can sign up without having to use their bankroll. This allows them access to table games and slots that they can try out without commitment.

Currently, of all the African countries, South Africa has the largest market. The country has a population of over 60 million, and 72.3% of these are internet users. It has quickly become the largest gambling market on the continent, raking in 50% of revenue. Most of this is from sports betting, which is legal and licensed. Online casino legislation is still evolving, and exists in a grey area that is largely defined on a state-by-state basis.

The two countries that have been at the forefront of legislation, however, are Nigeria and Kenya.  The former has a dual taxation policy, which places a 5% withholding tax on winnings by residents, then a further 15% on non-residents. There is also a 5% excise duty on gaming services.

Kenya has also worked hard on its gambling taxation, moving rates from 12.5% to 15%. Mandatory player verification systems have been introduced to prevent underage players from signing up and to combat money laundering.

Tips on Responsible Gambling

Different countries across the world have changing and differing approaches to responsible gambling. In places such as Europe, it is not uncommon for countries to change their laws and regulations when new research becomes available. The industry is quite new and developing, so this is expected.

However, there are practical tips players can employ to avoid falling into the pitfalls of problem gambling. The first is to always view gambling as entertainment, never as a way to make or win money. People must also never gamble when stressed, depressed, or intoxicated. Finally, they must always manage a bankroll, setting an amount they are willing to lose along with a time limit on the gambling activity. With these tips, players can stay safe in Africa and beyond.