Gaming agents and customers in the Southeast and Southsouth are to undergo capacity building on responsible gaming and player protection at a two-day programme in Owerri, Imo State, next month.
The programme, scheduled for October 14 and 15 at Imo Digital City Limited, is being organised by the Imo State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (ISLGA), in collaboration with Gamble Alert, an organisation focused on responsible gaming, gambling-harm prevention, research, counselling and stakeholder capacity development.
The Southeast and Southsouth Responsible Gaming Capacity Building Programme (SESSRG) is expected to bring together gaming agents, affiliates and other industry professionals who interact directly with players, as well as relevant regulatory stakeholders.
The organisers said the training would focus on strengthening participants’ understanding of responsible gaming, player protection and the identification and management of gambling-related risks.
Particular attention will be paid to retail gaming agents because of their direct and frequent interaction with players, they added.
According to Gamble Alert, agents occupy an important position in the responsible gaming chain because their conduct can influence how gaming products are accessed, marketed and experienced by consumers.
The organisation said the programme would equip participants with practical knowledge and tools to identify potential gambling-related risks and respond appropriately during their interactions with consumers.
It added that player protection should extend beyond encouraging individuals to gamble responsibly, stressing that professionals who operate at points of contact with players also need the knowledge and skills to support safer gaming practices.
Gamble Alert said responsible gaming should not be viewed solely as an awareness campaign or a regulatory requirement but as a practice that should be integrated across the gaming value chain.
The Owerri programme is also expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges affecting responsible gaming, exchange knowledge and strengthen cooperation among operators, agents and regulators in the two regions.
The initiative comes amid growing emphasis on consumer protection and harm prevention in Nigeria’s gaming sector, particularly among stakeholders who have direct contact with players.