By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, April 23, Mana: The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a fair, regulated, and responsible gaming industry in the country.
MAGLA Board Chairperson Fredrick Changaya made the statement on Wednesday during a stakeholder workshop on responsible gambling in Salima, which aimed to address challenges within the growing gaming and betting sector.
He explained that the training is part of ongoing engagements MAGLA has had with international experts, including the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation, to promote best practices within the sector.
According to Changaya, gaming industry in Malawi is still in its infancy, which calls for proactive measures to ensure both operators and players understand their roles.
“This workshop is not just for us as the authority, but also for operators to understand the boundaries and promote responsible gambling,” he said.
Responding to concerns about the growing number of underage individuals engaging in gambling, Changaya said MAGLA is taking necessary steps, including the deployment of advanced technologies.
“We are exploring the use of biometric and AI-driven systems capable of verifying users’ age before they access gambling platforms. The goal is to have a seamless national system that operators must integrate into, allowing MAGLA to monitor compliance in real time.” He explained.
Changaya also disclosed that six new regulations have been enacted this year to control how gambling operators advertise their services.
One of the gaming operators in attendance, Mini Monte Gaming Limited, through its Manager and Compliance Officer, Madalitso Gongwa commended MAGLA for organizing the workshop, describing it as timely and impactful.
“This kind of training helps us acquire new knowledge and skills that are critical for effectively operating and managing our businesses in a compliant and responsible manner,” he said.
Among the companies participating in the workshop are Premier Bet, Betika, and BetPawa.
