News
1xBet Nigeria’s Nnanna Chigozie Ewuzie Calls for Better Player Education at Responsible Gaming Symposium
Nnanna Chigozie Ewuzie, Compliance Manager at 1xBet Nigeria, took part in the Responsible Gaming Symposium, where he focused on one of the biggest challenges for safer gambling in Africa: players need to understand protection tools before they can use them effectively.
At the Symposium, Nnanna presented 1xBet’s view on player education as a core part of responsible gambling. His remarks were built around insights from 1xBet’s research – Independently Commissioned Player Protection Index, which shows that in many African markets betting is still often seen not only as entertainment, but as a possible source of income.
Education before warnings
Nnanna stressed that responsible gambling tools remain important, but they are not enough on their own. Deposit limits, self-exclusion and time-outs can only work when players understand why these tools exist and how they can help.
“If we want safer play, we must teach, not only warn the players. A tool only works when a player understands it. A limit means nothing if a player does not know why it helps,” Nnanna said.
This was the central idea of his contribution: education turns responsible gambling from formal messaging into a practical choice. When players understand the risks, odds, limits and available protection tools, they are more likely to stay in control.
“Education turns a warning into a choice. It helps a player move from betting for hope to betting with control,” he added.
What the data shows
The Player Protection Index research by 1xBet also points to a wider shift in the industry. According to the findings referenced by 1xBet, 69% of operators now agree that a safer player is more profitable over time. This suggests that player protection is increasingly being seen not only as a regulatory requirement, but as part of long-term business sustainability.
The research also shows that 84% of respondents believe player education is the foundation of safer gambling. At the same time, Simon Westbury, Strategic Advisor to 1xBet, has highlighted that only a small share of operators strongly believe players fully understand what “Positive Play” means.
For Simon, this shows a clear gap between the tools available and the way players understand them.
“Player education was the foundation of safer gambling. Positive play is when the player is educated and informed of their decisions,” Simon said.
He also connected safer gambling with long-term trust between operators and players.
“If you can retain a player and give a player a safe, fun environment to gamble, then they are going to stay with you longer,” he said.
Africa needs local and practical solutions
The discussion also reflected the specific realities of African markets. Regulation, payment habits, languages, digital access and retail betting culture differ across countries. This means safer gambling standards cannot simply be copied from other regions.
The Player Protection Index by 1xBet points to a 56% / 44% split in views on how consistent player protection standards are across markets. For Nnanna, this reinforces the need for a common base that can be adapted locally.
That base should be simple: set limits, understand odds, take breaks and ask for help when needed. Each market can then adapt the language, examples and delivery channels to its own context.
In markets where many players rely on cash or in-person betting, education may need to come through voice, video, visual formats, local languages and shop staff, not only through long text or formal disclaimers.
“Simple words and pictures travel further than long text,” Nnanna noted.
From compliance to real understanding
Both Nnanna and Simon pointed to the same conclusion: safer gambling in Africa must move beyond small print and generic warnings.
The industry still faces real barriers. Simon has noted that 49% of respondents see commercial considerations as a blocker to player protection, while 67% of players are apathetic towards safer gambling and player protection tools. This is why education matters: many players do not use protection tools because they do not see how those tools apply to them.
For Nnanna, operators and regulators need to agree on what good player education looks like. He pointed to three practical steps: a shared standard for education, room to test what works and honest data-sharing.
“We cannot build trust if we only show the good numbers,” Nnanna said.
For Simon, collaboration is also essential. The research shows that 96% of respondents believe safe gambling is only possible through cooperation between operators and regulators. This cooperation should help turn player protection from a compliance requirement into something players can understand and use.
1xBalance and the next step
1xBet’s responsible gambling work also includes 1xBalance, a dedicated project and website focused on education, self-checking and helping players better understand their betting behaviour.
Through the 1xBalance website, players can access simple educational materials, take a self-assessment test and use a budget calculator to better understand their spending habits. The idea is to make player protection softer, clearer and less intrusive.
Instead of treating responsible gambling as a clinical or distant topic, 1xBalance presents it as something practical: a way for players to check themselves, understand their behaviour and make more informed decisions.
This reflects the main message of the Responsible Gaming Symposium: safer gambling will depend on education, cooperation and tools that players can actually understand.
For 1xBet Nigeria, Nnanna Chigozie Ewuzie’s participation showed that responsible gambling in Africa is not only a regulatory issue. It is also a communication challenge, an education challenge and a trust challenge.
The next step is clear: teach better, explain earlier and help players turn protection tools into real choices.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reacted to his exclusion from the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections.
The former Rivers State governor said his priority is to deliver the state and the FCT for President Bola Tinubu rather than seek a position in the campaign structure.
Wike spoke while inspecting ongoing road projects in the Apo/Karish and Kubwa-Bwari areas of Abuja.
During the inspection, Wike explained why he had deliberately avoided serving as Director-General of presidential campaign organisations in previous elections.
According to the minister, holding the position of campaign Director-General does not necessarily translate into electoral success, particularly if the person is unable to deliver his or her home state to the presidential candidate.
Wike said his experience of Nigerian politics had shown that several politicians who occupied top campaign positions eventually lost the states where they exercised political influence.
He cited the 2015 presidential election, when former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi served as Director-General of the campaign that produced Muhammadu Buhari as President but was unable to deliver Rivers State to the APC candidate.
The minister also recalled that Amaechi, who later became Minister of Transportation, again served as campaign Director-General in 2019 but failed to deliver Rivers State.
Wike further referred to former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who headed the presidential campaign of Atiku Abubakar in 2019 but lost Kwara State and his senatorial seat during the election.
He also cited former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who served as Director-General of Atiku’s campaign in 2023 but lost Sokoto State, as well as former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, who served as Director-General of the APC presidential campaign but could not deliver Plateau State.
The FCT minister said the examples demonstrated the importance of concentrating on one’s political base instead of being carried away by campaign titles.
“What’s important is that you are able to deliver those two states. So it’s not about being DG. If you’re DG and you don’t win your state, what’s the essence of the DG?” Wike said.
“I don’t want to lose my state,” he added.
Wike maintained that politics was essentially local and that anyone aspiring to occupy a major political position must first prove his ability to win elections in his immediate political environment.
“If you cannot deliver the President in your state, how will you say you want an election? If you lose your own state, even if you’re DG, you’ll be ashamed,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor also made it clear that his support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 did not depend on his membership of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
Wike is not a member of the APC but was one of the prominent opposition figures who supported Tinubu’s emergence in the 2023 presidential election despite belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said he and his political allies did not need to become members of the APC before working for Tinubu in 2023 and would adopt a similar approach in the 2027 election.
According to him, the political arrangement would continue through the emerging “Rainbow Coalition”, which he said would bring together politicians and political groups from different parties in support of Tinubu.
Wike cited the example of Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central, who, according to him, could support Tinubu for the presidency while seeking re-election to the Senate under the PDP.
The minister argued that membership of the APC Presidential Campaign Council should therefore not be regarded as the only measure of support for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid.
He said he would continue to concentrate on Rivers State and the FCT, where he claimed to have significant political influence and responsibility.
“There’s nothing like the APC Campaign Director in Rivers State election. I’m the one that’s in charge. I’m also the one that’s in charge of FCT,” Wike said.
He stressed that the ultimate objective was to secure victory for Tinubu rather than pursue a title within the campaign council.
His comments came shortly after Tinubu constituted the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections, appointing former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, as Director-General.
The council was announced in a statement issued on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Under the structure, Tinubu will serve as Chairman of the campaign council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, will serve as Vice Chairmen.
Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State and a prominent APC figure, will coordinate the campaign as Director-General, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma will serve as Secretary.
The APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, was appointed Deputy Secretary, while Hadiza Bala-Usman will serve as Assistant Secretary.
The campaign council also includes several senior political figures as advisers to Tinubu, including former APC National Chairman Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Segun Osoba, former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Florence Ita Giwa.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni were appointed Deputy Directors-General for the southern and northern parts of the country.
Lagos is set to erupt this Sunday as the Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup comes to a thrilling close. Football legends, fans, and dignitaries will converge on the city for a grand finale that promises nostalgia, entertainment, and purpose all in one package.
All the action will take place at the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Sunday, 23rd August. The venue, known for producing some of Nigeria’s finest talents, will host two blockbuster games that will bring back memories of the golden eras of Nigerian football.
Read Also: Future Eagles Payment Delay Raises Questions as Six Players Reportedly Remain Unpaid
The day kicks off with the third place match at 12pm between FC Okpara and FC Alloy. It’s a battle of pride and bragging rights, as both teams look to finish the tournament on a high and give fans a taste of classic Nigerian grit and skill.
Then comes the main event. The Final at 3pm will see FC Babington take on FC Enegwea in what is expected to be a pulsating encounter. Expect fireworks, tactical battles, and moments of magic from players who once carried the nation’s hopes.
Leading FC Babington is Bode Babington, a former Nigerian professional goalkeeper. He notably featured for Stationery Stores FC and Julius Berger FC, and represented Nigeria at the youth international level, including the 1995 Africa Youth Championship. His leadership between the sticks made him a fan favorite in the local league.
On the other side, FC Enegwea mentored by Taiwo Enegwea. He played for Lagos YSFON, Eagle Oil, First Bank and Union Bank, and climbed through the ranks to represent Nigeria at the U17, U20 and senior level. A true product of grassroots football, Taiwo embodies the pathway the Bet9ja Foundation is working to strengthen.
FC Alloy draws its name and inspiration from Alloy Agu, a former Nigerian goalkeeper and a key part of the golden generation of the late 1980s and 1990s. Agu represented Nigeria at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and was in the squad for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA. After playing in Nigeria and in Belgium with RFC Liège, he transitioned into coaching and has served as goalkeepers’ coach for the Super Eagles.
FC Okpara honors Godwin Okpara, a former defender who rose to prominence in the 1990s. He enjoyed a successful club career in Europe with Paris Saint-Germain and later RC Strasbourg, where he was known for his strength, versatility, and consistency. Okpara also earned caps for the Super Eagles and remains active in football and community development after retirement.
Beyond the scores and trophies, the Bet9ja Foundation Ex-Internationals Cup is about impact. The initiative supports ex-internationals with welfare programs, medical assistance, and mentorship for young players. It’s a reminder that the legends who gave us unforgettable moments are still giving back to the game.
-
News9 hours agoGagdi Appreciates Appointment as Deputy Director, Security and Intelligence of 2027 Presidential Campaign Council
-
Business4 days ago
Plateau Strengthens Technical Education, Prepares NITT Centre for September Take-Off
-
News3 days ago
Osun Election: Accord Party spent N40bn – Fayose counters Davido’s claim
-
News2 days ago
Tesla, Uber, and Waymo all get the OK to operate thousands of robotaxis in Nevada
