Nnanna Chigozie Ewuzie of 1xBet Nigeria advocates for better player education at the Responsible Gambling Symposium

Nnanna Chigozie Ewuzie, Compliance Officer at 1xBet Nigeria, participated in the Responsible Gaming Symposium, where he emphasized one of the main challenges to safer gaming in Africa: players need to understand the protection tools before they can use them effectively.

At the Symposium, Nnanna presented 1xBet's perspective on player education, which it considers an essential element of responsible gambling. His presentation was based on the findings of 1xBet's independently commissioned Player Protection Index study, which reveals that in many African markets, betting is still often perceived not only as entertainment but also as a potential source of income.

Education before warnings

Nnanna emphasized that responsible gambling tools remain important, but they are not sufficient on their own. Deposit limits, self-exclusion, and breaks are only effective if players understand the purpose and usefulness of these tools.

“ If we want safer gaming, we need to educate players, not just warn them. A tool is only effective if the player understands it. A limit is useless if the player doesn’t know why it’s useful ,” said Nnanna.

This was the central idea of his contribution: education transforms responsible gambling from a formal message into a concrete choice. When players understand the risks, probabilities, limits, and available protective tools, they are more likely to remain in control.

" Education transforms a warning into a choice. It helps the player move from risky betting to controlled betting ," he added.

What the data reveals

The 1xBet Player Protection Index study also highlights a broader trend within the industry. According to the results cited by 1xBet, 69% of operators now agree that a more cautious player is more profitable in the long run. This suggests that player protection is increasingly seen not only as a regulatory obligation, but also as essential to the sustainability of the business.

The study also shows that 84% of respondents believe that player education is the foundation of safer gaming . At the same time, Simon Westbury, strategic advisor to 1xBet, pointed out that only a small percentage of operators are convinced that players fully understand the concept of "responsible gaming."

For Simon, this reveals a significant gap between the tools available and how players use them.

“ Player education is the foundation of more responsible play. Positive play is when the player is informed and aware of his decisions ,” said Simon.

He also established a link between responsible gambling and long-term trust between operators and players.

" If you can retain a player and offer them a safe and entertaining gaming environment, they will remain loyal longer ," he stated.

Africa needs local and pragmatic solutions.

The discussion also highlighted the specific characteristics of African markets. Regulations, payment habits, languages, access to digital services, and the culture of betting in physical outlets vary from one country to another. Consequently, responsible gambling standards cannot simply be transposed from one region to another.

The 1xBet Player Protection Index study indicates a divided opinion ( 56% vs. 44% ) on the consistency of player protection standards across markets. For Nnanna, this reinforces the need for a common framework that can be adapted locally.

This foundation should be simple: set limits, understand probabilities, take breaks, and ask for help when needed. Each market can then adapt the language, examples, and distribution channels to its own context.

In markets where many players prefer cash payments or in-person betting, awareness-raising may need to be done through voice messages, videos, visual materials, local languages and retail staff, and not just through lengthy texts or formal legal disclaimers.

" Simple words and images are more effective than long texts ," Nnanna pointed out.

From conformity to genuine understanding

Nnanna and Simon have reached the same conclusion: responsible gaming in Africa must go beyond legal notices and generic warnings.

The sector still faces real obstacles. Simon found that 49% of respondents see commercial considerations as a barrier to player protection , while 67% of players are indifferent to responsible gambling and player protection tools . This is why raising awareness is crucial: many players don't use protection tools because they don't see how they can be affected. For Nnanna, operators and regulators need to agree on what constitutes good player education. He highlighted three practical steps: a common standard for education, the ability to test effective methods, and transparent data sharing.

" You can't build trust by only showing the right numbers ," Nnanna said.

For Simon, collaboration is also essential. The study shows that 96% of respondents believe that responsible gambling is only possible through cooperation between operators and regulators . This cooperation should transform player protection from a simple compliance obligation into a tool that players can understand and use.

1xBalance and the next step

1xBet 's commitment to responsible gaming includes 1xBalance , a project and website dedicated to education, self-assessment and a better understanding of players' gambling behavior.

Through the 1xBalance website, bettors can access simple educational resources, take a self-assessment test , and use a budget calculator to better understand their spending habits. The goal is to make player protection more flexible, transparent, and less intrusive.

Instead of treating responsible gaming as a technical or abstract subject, 1xBalance presents it as a practical solution: a way for players to self-assess, understand their behavior and make more informed decisions.

This reflects the main message of the Symposium on Responsible Gaming: safer gaming relies on education, cooperation, and tools that are truly understandable by players.

For 1xBet Nigeria, Nnanna Chigozie Ewuzie's participation demonstrated that responsible gambling in Africa is not just a matter of regulation. It is also a challenge of communication, education, and trust. The next step is clear: better training, earlier explanation, and helping players make protective measures into genuine choices.