Gaming for Africa Magazine - Issue 170

Greentube Enters South Africa with Sunbet through NOVOMATIC Africa

AFRICA

SARGF ANNOUNCES RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING AWARDS - ENTER NOW!

SOUTH AFRICAN COMPANY

ITHUBA TO RETAIN EARNINGS IN UGANDA

Casino Management Systems - The Backbone of any Gaming Operation

10bet Expands Sumsub Collaboration in South Africa with Enhanced ID Verification Solutions

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GAMING for AFRICA

Publisher & Editor

Roy Bannister

Executive Publisher

Ingrid Keulder

Editor-at-Large

Bill Healey

ACCOUNTS & Administration

Fax: 086 648 1634

Email: [email protected]

PUBLISHER & Advertising

Headstart Productions

P.O.Box 607

Langebaan 7357

Fax: 086 648 1634

Cell: 082-468-8622

e-mail: [email protected]

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Nicole Cook

Email: [email protected]

PRINTED BY

Headstart Productions

GAMING FOR AFRICA is a bi-monthly magazine focused on casino operators and the manufacturing sector of the African gaming industry. We publish informed comment, and cover developments in legislation, new products, marketing and sales, promotions and general casino resort tourism trends in Africa Information published in GAMING FOR AFRICA or views or opinions expressed by writers are their own and not necessarily endorsed by the owner, publisher or editor of GAMING FOR AFRICA. While reasonable care is taken to report on events and occurrences in an accurate manner, we cannot accept any responsibility for inconveniences arising from misinformation. We welcome unsolicited articles and photographs but cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage. Press releases are published in good faith and the publishers assume that information provided is correct.

Gaming for Africa is a trade publication aimed at the b2b casino and gaming industry in South Africa and across the African continent where legalized gambling is permitted. As such all advertising and editorial in this publication is aimed at professionals within the gambling industry, and not the general gambling public. Gaming for Africa endorses and promotes responsible gambling and proudly subscribes to the aims and initiatives of the legalized gambling industry thorugh the National Responsible Gambling Programme. National Responsible Gambling Counselling Line – 0800 006 008

From the Editor

ThWe are thrilled to announce the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation’s (SARGF) inaugural Responsible Gambling Awards.

Scheduled for 1 November 2024 at Emperors Palace Casino in Johannesburg, this event marks 20 years of committed efforts towards promoting responsible gambling. The awards will honour gaming operators, regulators, and individuals who have excelled in upholding responsible gambling practices over and above their licence conditions - embracing not only the letter of the law, but the spirit.

We encourage all eligible operators, regulators, and individuals to submit their entries for the SARGF Responsible Gambling Awards. This is a prime opportunity to gain recognition for your efforts in promoting responsible gambling.

Award Categories Include:

• Regulator Responsible Gambling Initiative of the Year

• Award for Commitment to Responsible Gambling by Operator Over and Above Licence Conditions

• Best Innovation in Responsible Gambling Programme

• Best Emerging Responsible Gambling Programme

• Most Requested Responsible Gambling Operator Training

• Best Responsible Gambling Messaging and Marketing Campaign by a Regulator

• Best Responsible Gambling Messaging and Marketing Campaign by an Operator

• Responsible Gambling Lifetime Achievement Award

We also bring you an exciting story on how the North West Gambling Board and the South African Police Service are collaborating to combat illegal gambling operations. Learn about their recent crackdown on Chinese Roulette gambling machines and the broader efforts to address this issue across the province.

Another notable development is how Ithuba, the Uganda National Lotto operator, is making a significant contribution to the Ugandan economy. By retaining over 85% of their earnings in the country as part of their new lotto license agreement, Ithuba is playing a crucial role in national development.

Roy Bannister

2 Greentube

Greentube Enters South Africa with Sunbet, through NOVOMATIC Africa

Greentube, the NOVOMATIC Digital Gaming and Entertainment division, in close cooperation with its sister company in South Africa, NOVOMATIC Africa, has struck a partnership agreement with Sunbet, signalling its market debut in South Africa. The latest success in Greentube’s global growth strategy will see its industry renowned content portfolio go live with the eminent operator in one of Africa’s most established markets via Greentube Mynt, its revolutionary new technology stack for producing and supplying games.

Greentube Mynt comprises several modules with a state-of-the-art Remote Gaming Server (RGS) at its heart. It is the foundation for a future-proofed, complete games entertainment solution that provides operators with a next-level player engagement and retention tool and will drive the games rollout with Sunbet at launch.

As well as Greentube’s vast slots offering, Sunbet will benefit from a wide range of next-level engagement options and a toolkit of smart player retention tools, including promotional campaigns and tracking.

NOVOMATIC Africa played a pivotal role in facilitating this landmark deal, leveraging its deep understanding of the local market and regulatory environment to ensure a seamless integration. Their expertise and established presence in South Africa have been instrumental in forging this partnership, underscoring the significant impact NOVOMATIC Africa continues to have on the gaming landscape in the region.

range and experience for its customers.

Committed to its brand promise of helping its customers get more from every moment, Sunbet has been actively focused on expanding its product with exciting and innovative new offerings. The integration of Greentube’s products perfectly aligns with this mission, enhancing the overall gaming

Markus Antl, Director Global Sales and Key Account Management at Greentube, said: “Launching in South Africa is a milestone for Greentube and we couldn’t have picked a more prestigious partner than Sunbet. Our content will benefit from the experience and local knowledge of such an established operator with a wide customer base. “We’re especially grateful to NOVOMATIC Africa for their critical role in making this partnership a reality. Their local insights and support have been invaluable.”

Simon Gregory, CEO at Sunbet, added: “Greentube’s reputation precedes it and so we’re extremely confident of the content we’ll be able

to debut to our players. “We pride ourselves on the premium products we make available and Greentube’s slots will go a long way to maintaining that pursuit of excellence.”

About Greentube

Step inside the “Home of Games” with Greentube, delivering safe and secure casino entertainment to players around the world. As the NOVOMATIC Digital Gaming and Entertainment division, Greentube offers a diversified portfolio of Video Slots, Table Games, AWP Reloaded Slots, Server-Based Gaming, Social Casino Gaming, Video Bingo and more. Greentube’s Omni-channel technology is at the forefront of gaming innovation and converges online, mobile and land-based gaming.

About Sunbet

Sunbet is South Africa’s leading online gaming platform, proudly part of the Sun International family, boasting over 40 years of unmatched gaming legacy. Get more from every moment with an exciting selection of online slots, table games, sport betting, crash games, lucky numbers, virtuals, and more. Sunbet stands out as a trusted and user-friendly gaming experience, accessible, anytime, anywhere. With licenses from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board and the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, Sunbet ensures a safe and secure gaming experience.

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South African Company Ithuba to Retain Earnings in Uganda

Uganda National Lotto operator Ithuba, who also run the South African National Lottery and have recently been granted a lotto licence in Tanzania, will retain the majority of its earnings in-country.

Dennis Mudene, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board, says “over 85 per cent of the national lottery proceeds will stay in Uganda,” as part of the industry’s contribution to the growth of the economy.

He was speaking at the launch of Ithuba Uganda Limited, a lottery and gaming company from South Africa. In a press statement, Ithuba said it would invest more than $14.5 million as start-up capital in its lottery operations.

their entire operation,” Mudene added. He noted that more than 50 percent of the goods and services that are used in Ithuba Uganda operations have been locally-sourced and this shall increase to 80 percent in the second and third year, and thereafter to 90 percent in the fourth year onwards.

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“We have ensured that Ithuba hosts its infrastructure within the country so as to bring about total transparency and accountability of their operations. And the data that they are collecting does not belong to them but to the government of Uganda, and we will have full access of

Michelle Van Trotsenburg, the head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Ithuba, noted the company was “thrilled to bring the Uganda national lottery to life by offering a variety of games that provide both excitement and opportunity to win life-changing jackpots.” She said the company was committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and responsible gaming environment. Ithuba will work with 600 retailers that will be operating across the entire country.

BMM Testlabs Making Big Strides, Uniting Clients and Regulators to Level Up African Gaming Market with Integrity Every Step of the Way

As the No. 1 test lab for the Africa market, BMM’s mission is rooted in partnership and strengthening the gambling industry to protect all who gamble

When BMM Testlabs opened its office in South Africa in early 2005, the African gaming market was still emerging. Fast-forward to 2024, a year in which gaming in Africa is experiencing a remarkable surge, transforming into a robust, vibrant industry with an anticipated valuation exceeding $40 billion by 2025.

The BMM Africa business is growing along with the market, laser-focused on providing testing, certification, inspections, and consultation services to the whole African continent. The Company also serves the UK and some European iGaming markets from its office and independent testing laboratory in Midrand, South Africa, just north of Johannesburg.

The BMM Africa team has demonstrated remarkable resilience and perseverance, growing from four to 30 employees and successfully navigating the challenges of the COVID pandemic.

Martin Storm, BMM Testlabs’ Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, said, “COVID presented us with a very challenging professional situation globally and in Africa, but we kept all of our businesses running, and in Africa we didn’t lose any staff, and used the time to assist our regulator and supplier clients in launching new gaming channels.”

BMM began investing in South Africa in late 2004, when the market was opened to independent gaming labs. BMM hired a strong leadership group that

built the foundations and relationships needed for BMM to successfully service the South African gaming market.

As the market evolved and with the emergence of digital gaming, BMM’s business matured under Zeena Rossouw, Senior Vice President, Africa. Together with BMM’s regional executive and President of Land-Based Gaming Kirk White, Rossouw and White have put a talented leadership group in place to address the whole of Africa and its gaming growth, including Rulani Mdluli, who runs business development, and Obed Mathabe, who oversees operations. BMM prides itself on not only servicing customers with testing and compliance certification solutions but also providing trusted advice and technical insight for gaming regulators across the continent.

Together, this team partners with local and international suppliers in the African market to test and certify any gaming product for every technical standard adopted by any gaming regulator, including those that adopt GLI standards. BMM Africa also provides regulators with resources, training, security testing, inspection services, and professional consultation.

BMM Africa has supported the continent’s gaming growth, recently driven by the legalization of sports betting and contingency games , attributed to the widespread availability of mobile phones, better internet access, innovation, and a growing middle class. In the first half of 2024, BMM received new licenses in

Botswana and Nigeria, completed several training workshops for regulators, and helped gaming suppliers launch historical horse racing, sports betting, and other innovative gaming products.

Rossouw said, “These past 12 months have been non-stop for us, and we’ve seen a significant increase in our business. April was our most successful revenue month in BMM Africa’s history, so while exciting, we can’t take our foot off the pedal because we must keep the momentum going.”

White attributes the BMM Africa team’s success to its focus on support to regulators and suppliers and the solid and trusted relationships they build and maintain. He said, “We’re winning so much work because of our approach: to be on this journey with our clients, supporting them, listening to them, and working together in a supportive role rather than selling, selling, selling, and charging, charging, charging. We frequently ask suppliers and regulators, ‘What’s worrying you? How can we help?’, and then we work with great synergy to address those issues.”

Another milestone moment in 2024, for BMM and Zeena Rossouw, was her recent invitation to serve as Regional Ambassador—Gauteng for Women in Gaming, The African Chapter, an organization dedicated to empowering and connecting accomplished women in the African gaming industry.

“I’m honored and humbled about expanding my role in mentoring and helping women succeed,” Rossouw said. “I’ve had many younger women approach me and ask me for advice, so this ambassadorship is a great way to pass my knowledge to the next

The BMM Africa team, some of whom are shown here, serves Africa, the UK, and some European iGaming markets from its office and independent test laboratory in Midrand, South Africa, just north of Johannesburg.

generation of gaming leaders.”

The second half of 2024 looks to be just as busy as the first, with the BMM Africa team focused on helping the new and emerging markets of Nigeria, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, and Ghana solidify their regulatory frameworks and launch or expand their gaming programs, both online and land based.

For Storm, who has built BMM globally and led seven consecutive years of revenue and EBITDA growth, including a record performance year in 2023, seeing gaming in Africa thrive excites him and his team. “For so many years, Africa was a relatively small and slow-growing player in the international gaming landscape. The continent’s gaming market is now seeing a significant uptick, with operators, suppliers, and players excited and innovating. We are so grateful to be a part of this momentum and especially the opportunity to help regulators ensure the fairness

South African Responsible Gambling Foundation to Host Inaugural Responsible Gambling Awards

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) is proud to announce its inaugural Responsible Gambling Awards as part of commemorating 20 years of responsible gambling, set to take place on 1 November 2024 at Emperors Palace Casino in Johannesburg. This prestigious event aims to honour gaming operators, regulators, and individuals who have excelled in their efforts to uphold and promote responsible gambling practices.

Award Categories and Criteria

The awards will recognize outstanding contributions across several categories: Regulator Responsible Gambling Initiative of the Year

Recognizing responsible gambling programmes or initiatives implemented by provincial gambling boards.

Award for Commitment to Responsible Gambling by Operator Over and Above Licence Conditions

Celebrating proactive responsible gambling initiatives and campaigns by gambling and betting operators.

Best Innovation in Responsible Gambling Programme

Highlighting innovative initiatives, programmes, or campaigns by operators to communicate about responsible gambling and the dangers of excessive gambling.

Best Emerging Responsible Gambling Programme

Acknowledging new or pilot responsible gambling

programmes or initiatives by gambling and betting operators.

Award for Most Requested Responsible Gambling Operator Training

Honouring the most requested responsible gambling training by an operator from 2019 to September 2024, covering categories such as Casino, Bookmaker, Bingo, LPM, and Totalisator.

Award for Best Responsible Gambling Messaging and Marketing Campaign by a Regulator

Recognizing effective responsible gambling messaging and marketing campaigns by provincial gambling boards.

Award for Best Responsible Gambling Messaging and Marketing Campaign by an Operator

Celebrating impactful responsible gambling messaging and marketing campaigns by gambling and betting operators.

Responsible Gambling

Lifetime Achievement Award

This special award will be

given to individuals who have dedicated their time and decision-making efforts towards advocating for responsible gambling.

Submission Process

Submissions are open from 1 July 2024 to 30 September 2024. Nominations can be submitted via email to info@ responsiblegambling.org.za. Each submission should include:

• Hi-resolution photo(s) (500kb and above) or a montage of photos.

• A short 3-minute summary video.

• A one-page motivation detailing the background of the responsible gambling programme, including where and when it was implemented, and who it impacts.

For more information on submissions, please contact Lebogang Seoheng at 082 599 9076.

The SARGF looks forward to celebrating those who have made significant strides in promoting responsible gambling, reflecting the values and commitment to creating a safer, more responsible gambling environment in South Africa.

10bet Expands Sumsub Collaboration in South Africa with Enhanced Identity Verification Solutions

Global online sports betting and games platform, 10bet, leverages Sumsub’s cutting-edge technology for streamlined onboarding and compliance

Sumsub, a global leader in user verification, anti-fraud, and AML compliance solutions for the iGaming industry, has announced an expanded collaboration with 10bet, a leading global sports betting and games operator. Building on the success of their existing partnership, 10bet has chosen Sumsub’s advanced identity verification platform to facilitate its expansion into the South African market.

With over 1-million global customers, 10bet has prioritized user experience and compliance as key pillars of its growth strategy. Sumsub’s robust verification platform offers a comprehensive solution, encompassing user onboarding, liveness (facial biometrics) verification, proof of address checks and more. This collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to providing a secure and responsible gaming environment while ensuring seamless customer onboarding processes.

As part of this expanded partnership, 10bet has implemented Sumsub’s Non-Doc Verification Solution in South Africa, enabling the effective onboarding of new players in the country. This solution leverages cutting-edge technology to streamline the verification process, enhancing user experience while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

Nir Saadon, COO at 10bet, expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration: “We’re excited to continue our partnership with Sumsub. With convenience, safety and security at the core of our business, we aim to further optimize the onboarding process for our new players by integrating Sumsub’s

advanced technologies into our system, thereby enabling 10bet to seamlessly adhere to responsible gaming commitments in every jurisdiction. We are confident that this expanded collaboration will further enhance our players’ experience while mitigating fraud risks.”

Hannes Bezuidenhout, Sumsub’s VP of Sales in Southern Africa added: “We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with 10bet and support their expansion into South Africa. Our platform is designed to simplify the onboarding process for businesses while ensuring the highest levels of compliance and security. By offering our Identity Verification, Liveness checks and Proof of Address Solution in South Africa, we are empowering 10bet to effectively onboard players in this key market. This collaboration underscores our dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions for online gambling operators worldwide, and to becoming the provider of choice for iGaming operators looking to streamline their KYC, AML and Responsible Gambling.”

Both Sumsub and 10bet reaffirmed their commitment to responsible gaming and compliance with industry regulations. The expanding cooperation reflects their shared vision of creating a safe and secure environment for sports betting enthusiasts worldwide.

About 10bet

10bet is one of the leading international online operators and for nearly 20 years has provided millions of players with the highest quality sportsbook and casino experiences. Trusted by millions globally, 10bet has a customer-centric approach and offers a diverse range of sports and markets to bet on, user friendly and intuitive interface, rewarding and engaging gameplay, great odds across all sports, fast payouts and online games powered by multiple leading providers. For more information visit www.10bet.co.za

About Sumsub

Sumsub is a full-cycle verification platform that secures the whole user journey. With Sumsub’s customizable KYC, KYB, Transaction Monitoring and Fraud Prevention solutions, you can orchestrate your verification process, welcome more customers worldwide, meet compliance requirements, reduce costs, and protect your business.

Sumsub has over 2,000 clients across the fintech, crypto, transportation, trading, e-commerce and gaming industries including Bitpanda, Wirex, Avis, Bybit, Huobi, Kaizen Gaming, and TransferGo.

Mmabatho Casino Unravels The Bandages on Mo’ Mummy

Mmabatho Palms Casino in the North West, is the first to reveal Mo’ Mummy, a new theme release by Aristocrat. The games, Mighty Pyramid and Valley of the Riches, feature on the MarsX Upright and MarsX Slant cabinets, two new cabinets added to the Aristocrat platform range. Mo’ Mummy introduces an innovative cash-on-reel mechanic that is different from any other game currently available. Bonuses are triggered by symbol combinations and metamorphic features.

Mo’ Mummy  includes a Cash Collection Feature, Free games Feature and Match-3 Jackpot Feature. Beautiful graphics, character animations and extra eye candy combine to make this one of the most eye-catching games in Aristocrat’s portfolio. Players can indulge in this interactive game at most casinos in the Peermont Group. The revealing game has also been unveiled at a number of other Peermont properties like Emperors Casino, Rio Casino and Khoroni Casino.

Aristocrat product is distributed and supported in Southern Africa by umAfrika Gaming Technologies.

Casino Management Systems

Allwin Language, DR Gaming Technology’s Chief Business Development Officer: Africa, talks to us about ‘The Backbone’ of any gaming operation

Q: Management Systems are DR Gaming Technology’s (DRGT™) core product; as I understand it the Company now has its tech installed on over 80,000 devices across the globe. What, in your view, is driving this?

A: Notwithstanding our actual casino management system (CMS) technology, as well as our cashless, jackpot and loyalty solutions, I am of the view that our patented drSMIB is a key driver of the faith more and more operators are putting into our solution; not only from a pricing point of view, we do not require a permanent server connection, but also (and maybe even more importantly) security and uptime.

Each drSMIB (on which all system or jackpot edits and updates are undertaken, and data collected) automatically synchronises with all other drSMIBs in the network as soon as any changes are made, in so doing ensuring unparalleled data redundancy, real-time data and reporting, and providing the (transactional) security I refer to.

Q: You note a gaming operation generates a LOT of data, the challenge is knowing what to do with it?

A: You’re so right Roy, in today’s world of ‘Big Data’, and the ever-increasing access to information and almost daily advances in tech we all get bombarded with, I think we get so bogged down with all the options of what we could be doing, that we often forget to rather ask: what should we be doing?

To this end I believe that a balance must be struck between the two, and whilst technology in most cases drives innovation, it invariably remains a person who is the end user – so if the tech isn’t solving a challenge or creating a tangible opportunity, it’s literally a waste of time.

To answer your question though, my view is that our success has been due to us understanding what our end-user wants or might need, and then using (or developing) technology to meet those demands, rather than having technology dictate the opposite.

Q: I hear you, can you give me an example?

A: Of course! The massive amounts of data a casino generates affords us all significant insight opportunities into our operations and our players. That said, once all the analysis, and ‘slicing and dicing’ is done, and we’ve developed strategies and customer journey’s to acknowledge and reward players, effectively and (more importantly) efficiently telling players about these great offers and rewards becomes a challenge.

What we did was develop drMediaManager, an easy to use fully integrated tool that uses system-generated data to create an audience of players, and then assists operators in designing the messaging, and then ultimately ‘pushing’ it, to players - either directly at their EGM, via our individual drScreen player interface units, or via a casino’s overhead or table displays.

Q: With all that said and done, what should an operator then look for when selecting a new CMS?

A: There are numerous CMS options available to operators, but the key assessment of ‘what is

best for you’ comes down to fully understanding what features you need, and then really taking time to weigh those features up against what you can sensibly afford.

The reliability, robustness, and data redundancy should be a given, as should 24/7 support. CMS service providers are an extension of any casino’s technical and operations teams and as such a good cultural fit and a commitment to delivering the best possible customer (and player) experience is paramount.

Then from a purely practical and technical perspective, operators should always consider the likes of:

• A software development roadmap;

• Ongoing Hardware development (advances in technology ensure faster and better performance);

• Customer relationship management tools;

• 3rd Party integration (an ‘open solution’) to the likes of POS and Rooms systems;

• Jackpot technology;

• and Bonus games, to name a few.

Q: That all makes sense, but which operator needs do you then prioritise when developing new upgrades or features for your CMS?

A: I think it is safe to say that initially a CMS was exactly that:

a Casino Management System, focussed solely on revenue tracking and reporting. From there it evolved into a tool that allocated that tracked game play data to individuals, in so doing affording us the ability to value players and reward them correctly. What we need to do now is to be

able to not only understand a visitors value to a casino, but also to the resort or casino complex as a whole i.e. a single view across their entire entertainment wallet spend.

As such, my answer would be a shift to a more holistic approach (as opposed to an ‘only gaming’ one) that takes into account all possible customer touch points (the ‘open solution’ I referred to just now), leverages technology to do so, and then uses the best possible solution service providers to collect that data and reward users for their custom from a single CMS profile.

Q: So, uptime is key? What fail-safes are in place to ensure that?

A: Globally technology service providers, and their customers, are doing the best they can to move away from the challenges posed by a single point of failure. Our proprietary drSMIB

‘mesh’ technology provides that fail-safe, creating unparallelled data redundancy, and as a result alleviating significant risk.

For all intents and purposes we only need 2 of our drSMIBs to be working to maintain data integrity across and entire casino floor and any other associated touch points like jackpots, POS, or cashless gaming for example.

Q: What are the latest features you have incorporated in your casino management systems?

A: Technology advances, and subsequent market forces, continue to affect change. Both played a significant role in the ongoing development of our two most recent products: our web-based drReportsBI and our mobile drPlayerApp

Our mobile App allows players to ‘connect’ to their EGM via an ever-changing QR code on our drScreenUltra player interface, or a static code on the EGM itself, affording players the same

full functionality offered by our drScreenUltra including direct bank ‘top-up and cash-out’ functionality. In addition thereto, it also affords operators the ability to engage and communicate with players when they’re not on-site.

Whereas in respect of our new web-based (drReportsBI) reporting suite: notwithstanding the considerable custom we enjoy based on our current reporting software, we have enhanced our speed, functionality, and ease of use, as well as implemented a more uniform UI and advanced the interoperability between player and operations reporting. There is now also the ability, within a report on games for example, where you can simply type a player name in the search bar and move directly to player data without having to change applications. You can now also switch to either a light or dark mode, and access a range of new graph options and pre-populated historical reference periods.

Q: How do you see casino management systems developing in the future?

A: Data security has always been, and is now more than ever, a key deliverable, not only from an operators’ perspective, but also from a player’s point of view. As a CMS provider maintaining that security is non-negotiable.

To the above end all system service providers, and I’m referring here to the primary CMS provider and any of the 3rd party service providers alluded to earlier, need to constantly test and assess their vulnerability – not only in their ‘labs’, but with the help of their customers too. Suffice

to say, we regularly undertake data security penetration tests with the help of our business partners.

Q: How are your products and services different from those of your competitors?

A: There are formidable competitors in all of the regions in which we operate, and in most cases there is a preferred ‘local leader’ at the time of our market entry. What has happened in the majority of the 70-odd countries in which we operate is that once successful with one initial operator partner, their endorsements have driven our subsequent local growth –something one cannot put a price on. Then, in addition to actual functionality and the economics, casino operators and their players (like any other consumers) are becoming more and more demanding of tailored solutions and ease of use, and less and less tolerant of extended timelines or service intervals. To that end we use our best endeavours to develop and install relevant solutions timeously. As an example, our most timeous African cashless migration took place in South Africa, where we completed the installation, across 3 electronic bingo terminal (EBT) venues comprising 80, 140 and 220 EGMs, each roughly 200km apart, in just 4 days including travel time.

Coming in hot is the new franchise LION LINK™, entering the field with two titles, WEALTH OF THE DRAGON and PROSPEROUS ROOSTER. Both games bring thrilling Hold & Spin gameplay with a helper mechanic that can make it easier to trigger the Hold & Spin, driving player excitement. The Free Games differ slightly with WEALTH OF THE DRAGON featuring Locking Curtain Free Games and PROSPEROUS ROOSTER uses Walking Curtain Free Games. Both titles feature outstanding denom and cabinet variety, making it a strong candidate for high-limit rooms.

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Gambling Authority and University of Botswana Sign MOU

The Botswana Gambling Authority and the University of Botswana (UB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking the launch of the Motshameko O Phepa Academic Sponsorship.

According to the partnership the Gambling Authority will sponsor six master’s degree students and four PhD/ Doctorate candidates in the field of gambling research and development.

The supervision of the scholars will be under the University of Botswana. University of Botswana was represented by the Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris and the Gambling Authority was represented by the Chief Executive Officer, Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe.

“

As casinos strive to provide diverse and engaging experiences for their guests, the importance of offering a variety of slot options cannot be overstated,’ says Peermont Gaming Executive Billy Gray . “Moreover, integrating cutting-edge technology into these new slot machines not only enhances gameplay but also creates excitement and anticipation among players looking for a fresh angle to the popular Slots catalogue.

Emperors Palace in particular has debuted over 80 new slot machines from different leading manufacturers including Light & Wonder, IGT and Merkur within the three months. With technology updating rapidly, Peermont is looking to further cater to a broad spectrum of players, and offer an extensive selection of slot games. The new slots (amongst them Jewel of the Dragon, Duo Fu Duo Cai Grand 2, Egyptian Link and Mystery of The Lamp Progressives) provides different appeal, whether it be the theme of gaming features on offer.

‘Slots are a lot more sophisticated nowadays, with plenty of features to suit anyone’s preference of play. This generation of Slot machines are big, bright, high-tech and offers ton of features: 5-reels, 50-paylines or 243 ways to win, grand and major jackpot levels, Jackpot Wilds, Bonus Boosts and Jackpot and lucky wheels. The list goes on,’ explains Gray of the variety on offer.

The addition of new slot machines to the casino floor is not merely about expanding the gaming repertoire; it’s about creating an immersive and captivating experience for players. By offering a diverse array of slot options and embracing cutting-edge technology, Peermont casinos ensure that they remain at the forefront of entertainment and innovation. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the thrill of spinning the reels will never go out of style, especially when accompanied by the excitement of discovering what the latest slot machines have to offer.

Peermont Bolsters Gaming with Over 100 New Slots

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SIS strengthens bet365 Partnership with Global Launch of eSoccer Product

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SIS (Sports Information Services), the leading content supplier of 24/7 live betting services, has agreed a landmark deal with long-term partner, bet365, to deliver its comprehensive eSoccer portfolio across all regulated markets and boost the renowned operator’s global offering.

The integration of the complete suite of H2H Global Gaming League™ eSoccer matches will see bet365 benefit from the increase in betting opportunities which are proven to maximise engagement and margin.

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The agreement considerably strengthens SIS’ Competitive Gaming offering across the globe with eBasketball already live. The addition of eSoccer contests means more than 150,000 events will now be available on the world’s leading sports betting operator’s

Built specifically for sportsbooks, SIS’ H2H Global Gaming League™ is proven to deliver superior margins, adding as much as 10% in value to operators. Professional gamers take part in all eBasketball and eSoccer matches which are produced entirely in-house at SIS’s UK-based secure studios.

Competitive Gaming is the only product available on the market to have been awarded the Esports Integrity Commission’s (ESIC) Gold Standards. The highest possible accreditation created to set unmatched levels of integrity and safety in the industry, it has trained referees overseeing every contest.

Paul Witten, Managing Director EMEA at SIS , said: “We are very pleased to launch our eSoccer product as part of our long-term partnership with bet365.

“It is evident that customers have taken to our fast-paced, highly competitive short-form action and engage with the many available betting opportunities and we expect this to continue with the integration of our complete Competitive Gaming offering across regulated markets.”

Mozambique Casino Taxes Plummet 20%

Data from the Mozambique’s Economic and Social Balance of the State Budget Execution for the first quarter indicates that revenue from taxes paid by casinos in the country fell by almost 20% in the first three months of the year, year-on-year, to 71.4 million meticals (one million euros), the Lusa news agency reported.

According to the agency, the collection of this Special Tax on Gambling compares with 88.4 million meticals (1.2 million euros) from January to March 2023.

This is a fall of 19.2 per cent compared to the first three months of 2023, and only 5.8 per cent of all the revenue that the government estimates it will collect from this tax in the whole of 2024, valued at almost 1.2 billion meticals (17.8 million euros).

Revenue from taxes paid by casinos in Mozambique had grown by 21.9 per cent in 2023, compared to the previous year, to 371.1 million meticals (5.3 million euros), according to data from the Ministry of Economy and Finance

previously reported by Lusa.

The collection of the Special Tax on Gambling in the 12 months of last year compares with 304.4 million meticals (4.4 million euros) in 2022.

According to information from Mozambique’s National Directorate of Gambling, the award of casino concessions in the country requires a share capital of the concessionaire’s commercial company of no less than the equivalent of almost 170.6 million meticals (2.7 million dollars) and an investment, over up to five years, of at least 347.6 million meticals (5.5 million dollars).

For the effective operation of games of chance, the concessionaires have to pay

the state a Special Gambling Tax, levied on gross gambling revenues, of 20 per cent for concessions of up to 14 years, 25 per cent for concessions of up to 19 years, 30 per cent for concessions of 20 to 24 years and 35 per cent for concessions of 25 to 30 years.

‘The concessionaires must also pay Stamp Duty, corresponding to 50 per cent of the price of entrance tickets to the casinos,’ states the National Directorate for Games of Fortune or Chance, while adding that they ‘are exempt from paying any other taxes levied on profits from the operation of the game, as well as import duties on imported equipment and materials intended exclusively for the operation of the casino.’

Novomatic Africa - Empowering the Industry for 30 Years

NOVOMATIC Africa PTY (LTD), a subsidiary of NOVOMATIC AG, has been a cornerstone of the South African gaming industry since 1995. Strategically located in Johannesburg, we have spent nearly 30 years providing top-tier services and products, driving growth and innovation in the African market.

Over the past three decades, NOVOMATIC Africa has established a solid footprint across Sub-Saharan Africa, expanding our presence and introducing cutting-edge gaming technology. Our efforts have significantly contributed to the growth of the gaming industry in the region.

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Kiron Interactive named Virtual Sports Supplier of the Year at EGR B2B Awards

Kiron Interactive, a leading provider of virtual sports and numbers games, has been named Virtual Sports Supplier of the Year at the EGR B2B Awards 2024, showcasing its dedication to providing cutting-edge, immersive gaming experiences.

The EGR B2B Awards were hosted at the Roundhouse, London, on 13th June and featured some of the most renowned suppliers and software providers in iGaming. Kiron was shortlisted for both Virtual Sports Supplier and Innovation in Mobile, ultimately winning Best Virtual Sports Supplier in a night spent celebrating success stories within the industry. This recognition comes in light of the imminent release of GOAL Premier as well as our brand new Next-Gen Casino Suite offering.

GOAL Premier, our flagship product set to launch soon, represents the pinnacle of virtual sports innovation. The development of GOAL Premier has been a monumental effort, with countless hours dedicated by our talented team to ensure it delivers the most realistic, engaging, and seamless gaming experience on the market.

Kiron strives to remain at the forefront of virtual sports, providing entertaining gaming experiences that are seamless, available 24/7, and offer something unique for the player. An award winning product offering delivers memorable gameplay that drives player engagement, in turn, aiding operator partners in optimising customer retention.

The company prides itself on its determination to promote positive change in iGaming, and this award serves as recognition for the tireless work put in by everyone at Kiron to move the industry forward.

Steven Spartinos, Kiron Co-CEO , said: “We are delighted to have been named Virtual Sports Supplier of the Year. The EGR B2B awards are very well-respected within the industry, and we take immense satisfaction in receiving this accolade which was voted on by some influential figures within iGaming.

“Congratulations to all the winners. Let’s continue to recognise excellence and propel this fantastic industry forward!”

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Pragmatic Play Shakes Up Live Casino with Mega Sic Bac

Pragmatic Play, a leading content supplier to the iGaming industry, is expanding its Live Casino offering with Mega Sic Bac, a new four-dice game featuring unique side bets and random boosted payouts of up to 5,000x.

The latest title to join Pragmatic Play’s award-winning Live Casino portfolio features fast-paced gameplay and an array of betting options.

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The South African Police Service and North West Gambling Board Collaborate to Fight Illegal Gambling

The North West Gambling Board and South African Police Services are hard at work combatting the growing trend of illegal gambling in the Province with particular attention to the Chinese Roulette/Cherry master gambling machines which are mostly located in spaza shops that are operated by foreign nationals, who in some instances are without the necessary residential permits to be in the country.

On Friday, 19 July 2024, the North West Gambling Board and South African Police Service in Vryburg, pounced on a property which was identified through crime intelligence operations as a suspected place manufacturing Chinese Roulette gambling machines in the area. One hundred and thirty illegal gambling machines were confiscated and one Chinese national was arrested and appeared in the Vryburg Magistrate court on Monday, 22 July 2024 for bail application. Investigations in this regard are continuing.

“This operation follows a string of efforts by the Board and the Police to clamp down on illegal gambling across the province in which one hundred and ninety six of these illegal gambling machines were confiscated in the first quarter of 2024/25 Financial Year” said Mr, Simon Mogapi, the Gambling Control Manager of the North West Gambling Board.

Golden Matrix Group’s Meridianbet operator brand has received a sports betting licence in South Africa.

The accreditation from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board allows the B2B and B2C company to operate sports betting across South Africa.

A separate Manufacturer Licence from the regulator allows Meridianbet to licence its proprietary sports betting software within the Western Cape region.

Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet, said:

“Expanding our reach into South Africa will provide new opportunities to grow our user base in an entirely new jurisdiction, underscoring our ongoing commitment to growing our industry-leading brands around the world.

Nigeria FinTech Association Partners with Sumsub

The FinTech Association of Nigeria (FintechNGR) has announced a strategic partnership with Sumsub, a leading provider of identity verification and compliance solutions. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing the Nigerian FinTech sector and underscores Sumsub’s commitment to supporting innovation and regulatory compliance in the region.

Through this partnership, Sumsub will work closely with FintechNGR to deliver advanced identity verification and compliance solutions tailored to the needs of Nigerian FinTech companies. By leveraging Sumsub’s cutting-edge technology, both startups and established players in the FinTech industry will be equipped with robust tools to streamline customer onboarding processes while ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements.

With the rapid evolution of regulatory landscapes globally, compliance has become a top priority for FinTech companies. Sumsub’s expertise in compliance automation and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures will empower FintechNGR members to navigate complex regulatory frameworks with ease, fostering trust and confidence among customers and regulators alike.

“Sumsub’s industry-leading FinTech offerings are ideally suited for the Nigerian marketplace,” says Dr. Babatunde Obrimah, COO of FintechNGR. “Sumsub’s

cutting-edge innovation and understanding of the African sector are unparalleled.”

Driving Innovation

The partnership between Sumsub and FintechNGR will serve as a catalyst for innovation within the Nigerian FinTech ecosystem. By providing access to state-of-the-art identity verification technologies and best practices, the collaboration aims to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative financial solutions that address the evolving needs of Nigerian consumers and businesses.

Community Engagement

In addition to offering cutting-edge solutions, Sumsub and FintechNGR will collaborate on various initiatives aimed at fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration within the Nigerian FinTech community. Through workshops, webinars, and networking events, members will have the

opportunity to exchange insights, learn from industry experts, and forge strategic partnerships to drive collective growth and impact.

“We are excited to announce our partnership with FintechNGR,” said Richy Emah, Business Development Manager at Sumsub. “By combining Sumsub’s expertise in identity verification and compliance with FintechNGR’s deep understanding of the Nigerian FinTech landscape, we are confident that we can empower FinTech companies to thrive in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment while driving innovation and delivering exceptional user experiences.”

Sumsub’s partnership with FintechNGR represents a significant step forward in advancing the Nigerian FinTech ecosystem. By combining forces, both organizations are poised to revolutionize the way FinTech companies approach compliance and innovation, ultimately driving greater financial inclusion and economic prosperity across Nigeria.

Cricket South Africa Signs Live Streaming Deal

Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced IMG ARENA, OpenBet’s sports data and streaming products arm, as its exclusive official Cricket South Africa Data Supplier and Betting Live Streaming Partner.

IMG ARENA, in partnership with CricViz, will collect detailed data, both live and in-venue, for CSA’s domestic and international matches spanning a wide array of competitions, from bilateral series to domestic leagues.

Data for international matches will be gathered across Men’s and Women’s Test, ODI, and T20I formats, while domestic matches will see data collection for Men’s 4-day, 50 Over and T20, as well as the Women’s 50 Over and T20 formats. The data will then be distributed by IMG ARENA to more than 460 regulated sportsbook operators worldwide.

IMG ARENA will also distribute live streams of CSA matches to the global betting industry.

Mark Wrigley, Vice President & Head of Rights at IMG ARENA, said: “IMG ARENA is serving fans and sportsbook operators across a wide breadth of sports and markets around the world. Alongside CricViz, we’re excited to partner with Cricket South Africa to bring fans the ultimate sportsbook experience incorporating reliable, informed data and live streaming.”

CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki, said: “Our partnership with IMG ARENA is

poised to revolutionise the way detailed data is collected, both live and in-venue. This collaborative endeavour will introduce South African cricket to a fresh betting audience, and we are extremely excited about this opportunity. We are collectively shaping the future of sports data collection and broadcasting, setting new standards of excellence in the industry.”

The deal further diversifies IMG ARENA’s portfolio of data and streaming rights, adding CSA to its breadth of sports properties including soccer, tennis, golf, basketball, mixed martial arts and more.

Africa Market Focus Following Lottery.Com Acquisition of SportLocker

Lottery technology broker Lottery.com has announced a strategic acquisition of the sportsstreaming site SportLocker, which will be rebranded as Sports.com. This move signals the company’s significant expansion into the African market.

Lottery.com has not disclosed the financial details of the acquisition, but the rebrand will take effect immediately. SportLocker, with its strong connections to Saudi Arabia’s expanding sports program, had previously unveiled plans for club acquisitions, sponsorships, and media partnerships focused on UK football and the US Major Soccer League (MSL).

Austin-based Lottery.com confirmed that the acquisition of S&MI, SportLocker’s parent company, will be a stock-based transaction. This announcement follows the company’s recent issuance of 20 million new shares valued at $100 million and an increase in fundraising commitments from $1 million to $5 million. The newly rebranded Sports.com will initially launch in the US and Europe, with dedicated efforts in the Middle East, but a significant focus will be placed on expanding into Africa. The platform aims to offer a comprehensive mix of sports news, live streaming, documentaries, and films without including sports betting.

A core part of Lottery.com’s strategy involves leveraging its existing partnerships with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to provide localized branded sports content services. This enhances the value proposition for MNOs by catering to the demand for sports video content from large-scale audiences across various markets directly on consumers’ mobile devices.

Matthew McGahan, chairman and CEO of Lottery. com, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition: “This acquisition is of great strategic importance to our group. We are delighted to unveil Sports.com to the world with a revolutionary vision that will transform how fans engage with sports.”

Sports.com aims to offer a global sports experience, covering soccer, motor racing, football, baseball, basketball, MMA, boxing, cricket, golf, and tennis. There is also a dedicated program for women’s sports.

In 2024, Lottery.com plans to add new features to Sports.com and invest in innovative technologies. The platform will focus on creating sports-centric

communities and social media campaigns with leading sports stars. Following its launch in the US and Europe, Sports.com plans to extend its reach to Africa, India, South America, Asia, and Australia.

The platform will provide both global and regional sports content, including comprehensive pre- and post-match stats, news, and event highlights. Notable events to be covered include the Indy 500, Dakar Rally, FIA Formula E, Formula 1 season, PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, Masters golf tournament, and tennis grand slams such as the Australian Open and French Open.

Majed Al Sorour, president of Sports.com and Saudi Golf, expressed his excitement about leading Sports.com: “I am thrilled to lead Sports.com into a new era where technology and passion for sport converge to create unparalleled experiences for fans worldwide.” He highlighted the platform’s goal to revolutionize fan engagement and leverage his experience to drive growth, innovation, and community-building in the sports and technology landscape.

EveryMatrix Acquires FSB with Expanded Plans for Africa

EveryMatrix’s acquisition of betting and iGaming platform provider FSB Technology, emphasizing the strategic importance of this move for expanding its presence in the African market.

EveryMatrix’s CEO as the company’s “most ambitious to date,” highlighting that it will significantly bolster the OddsMatrix sportsbook division’s foothold in Africa, as well as in Ireland and the UK. This transaction is set to enhance the company’s long-term growth strategy by increasing its footprint in regulated markets where many FSB clients already operate.

FSB Technology’s comprehensive turnkey solutions, including player account management software and horse racing products, are expected to strengthen the OddsMatrix platform and generate immediate additional revenues and synergies across the company.

“This transaction facilitates our long-term growth strategy of entering and growing within a greater number of regulated markets, including the UK, Ireland, and Africa, where many FSB clients

operate,” Groes said. “It also allows us to accelerate this process, diversify our customer and revenue profiles, while simultaneously migrating customers to a stronger, high-performing product proven to deliver exceptional results.”

As part of this acquisition, EveryMatrix will incorporate key FSB features into OddsMatrix, notably one of the strongest horse racing products available among sportsbook providers. Additionally, existing OddsMatrix products, including sportsbook and odds feeds, will be made available to FSB customers, along with EveryMatrix’s suite of modular products such as casino games, an aggregation platform, and payment solutions.

EveryMatrix’s OddsMatrix division has delivered several complex turnkey solutions to leading operators in 2023, including Bet-at-home and the Hungarian national lottery company’s (SZRT)

online brand TippmixPro. The integration of FSB Technology is expected to further enhance these capabilities, particularly in the African market.

This acquisition comes as EveryMatrix hit record earnings in Q1, with a net revenue high of €39 million, marking a 66% increase from the previous year. The company’s EBITDA margin also reached a record 57%, up from 45% in Q1 2023. The OddsMatrix division saw a significant growth in gross gaming revenue and sports turnover during this period, underscoring the potential for further expansion and success in the African market.

With this strategic acquisition, EveryMatrix is poised to leverage its enhanced capabilities to capture a significant share of the burgeoning African sports betting and iGaming market, while continuing to strengthen its presence in other key regions.

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