• Online self-exclusion is possible for customers who may be concerned about their gambling online and appearing in person to seek exclusion from a venue is another proposition.
• Identifying a punter with a gambling problem at the retail level is another problem entirely. There are important differences between these groups of intervention, and the distinction between African and international, face-to face and online gambling is also a significant one.
The significance is not only that treatment agencies may need to be prepared to respond, but that there may also be limits as well as opportunities offered within these differing contexts. The range of prevalence figures is therefore less important than the potential availability of an exclusion system itself, as a means to help responsible players when gambling trips up, or even as a proxy against which to judge industry commitment to responsible gambling.
Concerning the legality of gambling in Africa, there are three broad regulatory frameworks adopted across the continent relating to their approach to manage activity, which varies between prohibitive, restrictive, and liberal legislations. Fundamentally, the approach governments and regulatory bodies take in governing gambling within their jurisdiction is influenced by the prevailing societal viewpoints. While gambling has been classed as a luxurious pastime in most parts of the globe, including Africa, it has become far more accessible for citizens as countries expand their service offerings as an economic driver (internet and smartphone penetration) to attract tourism and contribute to socioeconomic development through direct and indirect earnings, and most importantly as a channel for tax revenue. However, with most countries in Africa classed as being within the developing world, a significant percentage of the population is estimated to be living below the poverty line and for this group of people, gambling remains the opium of the masses.
The implementation of self-exclusion programs across Africa is still in its early stages, and awareness of such opportunities for problem gamblers does not yet reach many ears. One may speculate that a lack of resources dedicated to information campaigns aimed at not only the addicted individual but also at the punter population may be partly responsible and very inadequate. Enforcement issues distinguish several countries with self-exclusion programs. It is in vain to voluntarily close the door on gambling venues when there is no legal enforcement plan to prevent players from playing despite their self-imposed exclusion. The implementation of self-exclusion options is an interesting and promising development for Africa, as indeed it is in other parts of the world.
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