As AGE Lagos 2024 Beckons

Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that with over 150 leading and reputable companies exhibiting their games, products and services, there are limitless opportunities to win big and surprising prizes in two grand draws-the Modern Lottery Draw and the AGE Lottery Draw at the impending Africa Gaming Expo

It is about 12 days to start the biggest gaming fair ever on the African continent. The organisers of Africa Gaming Expo Limited have given it an ambitious tag as “the largest gathering of stakeholders in the gaming (sports betting, lottery and casino), fintech, banks and investors. Bashir Are, Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, disclosed in a recent chat with Gaming Week that the event is on the cusp of history. 

“We have delegates and speakers from 27 countries. It is bigger than what we envisage,” said Are. “All the largest international companies are exhibiting. BetConstruct, Evolution, Betking, 1Xbet, Betway, Mastercard and FINCRA.”

The expo holds at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos from March 12 to 15. It aims to facilitate collaboration and exchange of ideas among Industry experts and stakeholders within Africa and the global market. The four-day event, which will run under a wide theme, ‘Exploring the Future of the Africa Gaming Market: Emerging Trends, Prospects and Opportunities’, will feature some of the most illuminating discourses on various subjects.

The expo will start with a keynote address by the chief host, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. The deputy governor of Narok County, Kenya, will also be there, who is expected in his capacity as a special guest.

Other keynote addresses to be delivered at the expo include ‘Entertainment, Gaming and Tourism: A Nexus for Economic Growth’ and ‘Impact of Cryptocurrency, Virtual Reality and Esports on Africa Gaming Market’. This panel gives attendees insight into evolving technologies, their impact, prospects, and efficacy.

The Africa Regulators Forum is a very important highlight of AGE Lagos 2024. Its discourse will centre on ‘Aggregating Gaming Standards in Africa’. It is expected to be a deep-dive presentation on the possibility of unifying gaming standards across several African jurisdictions and what this could mean for reciprocity in enforcement against illegal operators across Africa. Some of the panellists for this session include Are, Beatrice Baiden (head of corporate affairs of the Gaming Commission of Ghana); Paulo Ringote (director-general of Instituto de Supervision de Jougos, Angola); Peter Kasitilwe (CEO of Gambling Authority of Botswana), Caroline Kongwa (Chief Strategic Adviser of the National Gaming Board, South Africa), Denis Ngabirano (CEO of Uganda National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board) and Weldone Koros (Director of Association of Gaming Regulators in Africa).

The Africa Gaming Expo Edition is endorsed by the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and the Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria.

Other discourse attendees are looking forward to will focus on ‘The Adverse Effect of Gaming in Africa: Amplifying Responsible Gambling Advocacy’, ‘Data Protection and AML for Online Gaming: Challenges and Opportunities’ and ‘Africa’s Broadband Expansion: Panacea for Gaming Business Evolution in Africa Panel Discussion’. 

Panellists will explore the impact of broadband technology expansion on the gaming landscape in Africa, while the other sessions will facilitate discussions on promoting ways to address the impact of gaming in Africa. Leading gaming industry experts will also discuss salient compliance issues and proffering solutions to the challenges.

 With over 150 leading and reputable companies exhibiting their games, products, and services, there are limitless opportunities to win big and surprising prizes in two grand draws: the Modern Lottery Draw and the AGE Lottery Draw. 

The organisers promise that AGE Lagos will be quite an experience with loads of leisure activities to feel and touch the sights and vibes of Lagos, Nigeria’s biggest commercial capital. An evening of African music fusion in an upscale lounge, the Maroccaine Bar and Lounge at Akin Ogunlewe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, is on the cards. Also, there is a tour of the beautiful Megacity of Lagos with visits to the Nike Art Gallery to explore beautiful art pieces by African and International Artists. A visit to Sol Mall – Box Beach and the Good Beach to relax in the tranquil environment.