STAKEHOLDERS BRAINSTORM ON DATA PROTECTION FOR GAMING INDUSTRY
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On Thursday, Stakeholders brainstormed at the first National Symposium for the Nigeria Gaming industry on data protection and the compliance requirements for gaming operators in Nigeria while, promising a return of investment due to the growing popularity of the gaming market and quick adoption to technology.
The event which was held in Lagos, was set up in a bid to protect the integrity of the industry as well as, protect the rights of the customers, focused on the Role of Cyber security and compliance in the Nigeria Gaming Sector, Gaming and data protection compliance, implication for regulators, operators and stakes.
The event which was organized by Velex Advisory started with a presentation by Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau(NDPB), who spoke on the Gaming and data protection compliance adding that everything in recent times, have been digitalized which is the more reason why all data must be protected.
Dr Vincent mentioned that the gaming industry relies on data which makes it a huge business now
He advised that all operators should ensure that they have a protection officer, as a major operator who would ensure that everything about data is put in place.
“Companies should ensure that all customer’s data is safe. I will say that they should have a personal data protection officer as a major operator, who will ensure that everything about data is put in place and also create awareness, train the people on how to protect data because, if rights are breached, it might lead to serious cost to the organization.”
However, Lanre Gbajabiamila, the Director General National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), stated that data protection compliance is very important because everyone is going digital.
He added that everybody needs to understand why they must comply fully to data protection as it captures both the regulators needs, operators as well as the stakers.
“Data’s will be protected both for regulators, operators and the users. It is important that we have data protection, policies outline and the awareness of this platform” he said.
Meanwhile, Olatunji Idowu, the Managing Partner Velex Advisory West Africa while speaking, said that it is important that regulators and operators are brought together to be sensitized and educated on the obligations they have around the area of data compliance as well as Know your customer verification (KYC).
He added that customers have the right to say no to sharing of their data with a third party adding that they also have a right to change the information that was provided to the operator.
“The idea behind this, is for us as an advisory firm with presence in the entire West Africa, is to create a platform where we bring the regulators as well as, the operators together to discuss the compliance issue.
What we are saying is that the gaming market is really evolving and growing across the entire Africa and then we have quantum collection of customer data.
It is important for us to bring the operators and the regulators together to sensitize and really educate the operators as to the obligation that they have around the area of data compliance as well as, know your customer verification.”
“Customers have the right to say ‘NO’ to sharing of their data to a third party as well as, change their data at any time.”
However, Olabimpe Akingba, the Executive Secretary for the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers said that there’s still a knowledge gap which is one the challenges that members (Sports betting) operators are facing regarding compliance.
She advised that there should be consistent sensitization on the importance of data protection, and also, avoiding data breaches adding that quite a number of law enforcement agencies do not really know the operation the gaming business.
“It is important to set up a synergy between the regulators, the operators within the industry so, the regulators understand our model of operations to be able to tailor policies that will be in line with our mode of operation.”
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