Collaboration and not fragmentation is the key for Africa, states Colin Udoh
As one of this year’s ICE Africa Champions, what are your aims ahead of the event and in particular with reference to Nigeria?
I partnered with Clarion to co-host its' first event in Africa which was the World Regulatory Briefing (WrB) first held in Lagos, Nigeria and subsequently Nairobi, Kenya before it morphed into ICE Africa. My aims haven't changed much over the years. I have been trying to showcase the industry opportunities in Nigeria specifically and Africa as a whole.
As one of the most respected trade bodies on the continent, the South African Bookmakers’ Association (SABA) has taken a stand on a number of key issues. Sean Coleman, SABA’s CEO, explains its commitment to blocking centralised monitoring legislation, the lessons that can be learned from the credit industry, the importance of sharing intelligence and the consequent benefits of attending what he believes to be the gambling industry's essential Pan-African b2b event.
Why is ICE Africa important for the local gaming industry and why are you supporting this year’s event?
This column was born in South Africa, in the middle of nowhere between Jo’Burg and Sun City in a Dacia revving at 5,000 and barely making it up a hill. I would call it a difficult birth, but I am certain it will have a bright future. Glyn and I agreed that a structured series of articles on the most important issues of casino management would do the industry and the magazine good, so here we go.
The burgeoning African gaming market has been spearheaded by a number of countries in recent years with South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania widely deemed as the leading markets on the continent.