12,000 stakeholders in the gaming industry comprising the operators and regulators are expected to participate in this year’s 3rd edition of Africa Gaming Expo to be held in Lagos from March 24 to 27.

The 2026 edition Is themed ‘Africa’s Gaming Market: Frontier to Prominence’ with participants coming from 68 countries.

Speaking at a briefing on Friday, the Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Bashir Are said the expo would highlight the increasing role of gaming in revenue diversification and job creation across African economies.

It will also reinforce Lagos State’s position as Africa’s leading commercial, technology, and regulatory hub and provide a platform for government and stakeholders to collaborate on addressing issues affecting the industry such as responsible gaming, AML/CFT compliance, digital payments, regulatory harmonisation, and the application of emerging technologies across gaming and lottery ecosystems.

Are further said the expo will feature high-level policy dialogues, regulatory and compliance workshops, technology and fintech showcases, investor forums, and cross-border partnership sessions.

On responsible gaming, Are said the state has been campaigning against under-age gaming and set up a monitoring and enforcement unit that goes out to ensure operators do not allow under-age gaming.

He added that Lagos State government has partnered with other African countries on repository enforcement through joint blacklisting of operators that flouts the rules guiding the industry.

On the gain the state has recorded in the last two editions, Are said it has helped to expose some youths to the world.

“Some youths have developed games we have helped them to put on the world stage. We don’t want to do something we can’t sell to the people. We are promoting the business aspect of gaming. For Lagos State, tourism and entertainment are parts of the gains of the expo," he said.

•PHOTO, L-R: CEO, African Gaming Expo, Dr Charles Ekundayo; the Chief Operating Officer, Adenike Oyebamiji; CEO, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Bashir Are; Chairman, Association of Nigerian Bookmakers (ANB), Sheriff Olaniyan; Executive Secretary of ANB, Tamunopreye Tuadibofa, during a Press Briefing to announce the upcoming African Gaming Expo at Black Diamond Hotel, Victoria Island in Lagos, on Friday, February 27, 2026.

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