African Gaming Regulators Unite to Blacklist Non-Compliant Operators

African Gaming Regulators are preparing to launch a unified blacklist system targeting operators who ignore gambling regulations across the continent.

Bashir Are, CEO of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, announced the initiative during a press briefing at the Africa Gaming Expo (AGE) in Lagos. The new framework will allow regulators from multiple African nations to jointly blacklist non-compliant operators, creating a more coordinated approach to enforcement.

The announcement comes amid growing concerns about underage betting. Regulators have found children as young as 12 placing bets despite the legal gambling age of 18. To tackle this issue, African Gaming Regulators will deploy mystery shoppers to verify operator compliance on the ground.

“We are building partnerships across the continent and beyond,” Are stated. The Lagos authority has established cooperative agreements with regulators in South Africa, Gambia, and Ghana. International partnerships also include regulators in Malta, the UK, Jamaica, and Brazil.

The collaborative approach marks a significant shift in how African Gaming Regulators approach market oversight. Rather than working in isolation, authorities will now share intelligence and enforcement actions, making it harder for rogue operators to simply relocate when facing sanctions in one jurisdiction.

Industry experts expect the blacklist to improve consumer protection and create a more level playing field for licensed operators who follow local regulations.

The announcement came ahead of AGE Lagos 2026, scheduled for March 24-27. Organizers expect more than 11,000 delegates to attend the expanded conference, which has grown into one of the region’s premier iGaming events.

The blacklist initiative demonstrates African Gaming Regulators’ commitment to professionalizing the industry while protecting vulnerable populations from gambling-related harm.