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.

The post 1xBet Nigeria’s Nnanna Chigozie Ewuzie Calls for Better Player Education at Responsible Gaming Symposium first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post 1xBet Nigeria’s Nnanna Chigozie Ewuzie Calls for Better Player Education at Responsible Gaming Symposium appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Joseph Dosu has described the Ex Internationals Cup competition as an important reunion platform for former Nigerian internationals.

READ ALSO: Chekas United Write Lagos FA, NLO After Playoff Defeat to Hephzibah SC 

The 1996 Olympic football gold medalists, Dosu Joseph added that it is also creating opportunities for younger players to show their talent.

The former Super Eagles goalkeeper spoke on Friday after FC Dosu’s elimination from the competition following a 3-2 aggregate defeat to FC Babington in the Round of 32 at the Rehab center Isheri football field.

FC Dosu played out a 1-1 draw in the second leg at the Rehabilitation Centre Field in Isheri, but FC Babington progressed after securing 2-1 victory in the first leg at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

Reacting after the match, the former Nigerian international expressed appreciation to the organisers, particularly the Bet9ja Foundation and the competition’s leadership, for sustaining a platform that reconnects ex-footballers.

“We have to thank the organisers, Bet9ja Foundation and the honourable chairman for creating a very good platform for ex-internationals and also the young ones,” Dosu told Sports 247.

“We knew it was going to be difficult, but we gave everything we had. Unfortunately, we could not get the result we wanted. It would have been better if we progressed to the next round, but congratulations to the winners.”

Dosu also highlighted the emotional value of the tournament, noting that it has reunited many former players who have not seen each other in years.

“Yes, it is a reunion platform. I have seen some people I have not seen for ages,” he said.
“Seeing everybody together again at both the first leg at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena and here today goes a long way for us. It is a very good platform and we are enjoying it.”

FC Babington advanced to the Round of 16 after surviving a late FC Dosu comeback in a fiercely contested second-leg encounter.

Peter Emmanuel gave FC Babington an early lead before Ayatu Akindele converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn FC Dosu a 1-1 draw on the day, although it was not enough to overturn the aggregate deficit.

Goalkeeper Alabi Sulaiman produced several crucial saves during the encounter to help FC Babington secure qualification to the next round of the Lagos Ex-Internationals Cup.

The post Atlanta 96 Hero Dosu Joseph Shares His Sincere Take on Ex Internationals Cup first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Atlanta 96 Hero Dosu Joseph Shares His Sincere Take on Ex Internationals Cup appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Chekas United Football Club have officially written to the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) and the Lagos State Football Association following their narrow 1-0 defeat to Hephzibah SC in the Alade Stadium Winners’ Playoff.

READ ALSO: Hephzibah SC Edge Chekas United to Reach NLO Lagos Playoff as Alade Stadium Campaign Concludes 

Hephzibah SC secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chekas United on Thursday to qualify from the Alade Stadium playoff series in Lagos.

In a letter signed by the club’s chairman, Engr. Chekwube E. Uzoegbo, Chekas United expressed appreciation to the NLO, Lagos FA, match officials, participating clubs, and stakeholders for what they described as a successful 2025/2026 campaign.

The club acknowledged their disappointment at falling short in the playoff clash but stated that they were proud of their performance throughout the competition.

“Although our journey ended with a narrow defeat to Hephzibah SC in today’s playoff match, we remain grateful for the opportunity to compete and showcase our footballing philosophy on such a respected platform,” the statement read.

Chekas United also commended the organisers for maintaining professionalism and creating opportunities for young football talents to develop and excel.

The club praised match officials for their professionalism and commitment, noting that their efforts contributed to the smooth conduct of matches during the season.

Chekas further congratulated Hephzibah SC on their victory and wished the team success in the next stage of the competition.

“While we are disappointed not to have progressed beyond the playoffs, we leave with our heads held high, knowing that we gave our best and represented our club with pride,” the letter added.

The Apapa-based side concluded by reaffirming their commitment to football development and vowed to return stronger in future competitions.

The post Chekas United Write Lagos FA, NLO After Playoff Defeat to Hephzibah SC  first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Chekas United Write Lagos FA, NLO After Playoff Defeat to Hephzibah SC  appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.