GamblePause named Clarion Gaming's Safer Gambling Charity Partner for 2026

Nigeria-headquartered GamblePause has been named Clarion Gaming’s Safer Gambling Charity Partner for 2026. GamblePause is an independent social impact organisation dedicated to reducing gambling-related harm across the continent of Africa.

The partnership covers ICE Barcelona and iGB Affiliate Barcelona in January, and iGB L!VE London in July, and marks the fourth year of Clarion Gaming’s Safer Gambling Charity initiative.

“I am delighted to welcome GamblePause as our Safer Gambling Charity Partner for 2026. GamblePause has evolved from a grassroots awareness initiative into a powerful voice on safer gambling in Africa,” said Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter.

Over the past 12 months, the organisation has reached more than 5,500 people through awareness programmes, delivered over 3,000 one-to-one support sessions via virtual counselling, and engaged more than 23,500 students through large-scale campaigns at the University of Lagos in 2025.

As part of the partnership, GamblePause will play an active role in industry discussions at ICE Barcelona, iGB Affiliate Barcelona and iGB L!VE London, gaining a global platform to promote its programmes and safer gambling initiatives. The organisation will receive prominent branding across Clarion Gaming’s live events, including visibility in official show guides, event apps and websites, coverage in the ICE Show Daily, and access to VIP networking opportunities.

"I'm extremely proud that we were the first event organiser in the gambling space to establish an annual safer gambling partnership, and the initiative is central to our ongoing commitment to help build a sustainable and socially responsible future,” said Hunter.

Welcoming the announcement, GamblePause founder Ladipo Abiose Akolade described the partnership as a historic milestone for the organisation and a strong validation of its work. “The partnership provides an unrivalled global platform to amplify safer gambling messaging across Africa, it strengthens our credibility, and enables direct engagement with industry leaders to advance responsible and sustainable gambling practices," he stated.

Akolade added that the partnership would support the expansion of gambling-harm awareness campaigns across Africa, the development of rehabilitation pathways, and the delivery of evidence-informed safer gambling education for operators, regulators and communities.

Moreover, the partnership will facilitate engagement with policymakers to strengthen player protection and harm-prevention policies. “All of this work is underpinned by a steadfast commitment to early intervention among young people," said Akolade.