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South Africa: Tribunal Grants Lottoland Interim Relief – Orders Google to Grant Lottoland Access to its Advertising Platform

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The Competition Tribunal (“Tribunal”) has issued an interim order directing Google Ireland Ltd and Google South Africa (Pty) Ltd (collectively, “Google”) to permit Lottoland South Africa (Pty) Ltd (“Lottoland”) to access its advertising services known as “Google Ads”, for so long as Google permits any firm in South Africa to utilise Google’s Ads Services to advertise fixed-odds betting on the outcome of lotteries. The Tribunal’s order applies for a period of six months from its date, or the conclusion of a hearing into the prohibited practices alleged by Lottoland, whichever is the earlier.

This platform enables advertisers to display ads to users who utilise Google search, with Google Ireland acting as the service provider for Google Ads in South Africa.

The Tribunal’s order follows an interim relief application by Lottoland, a licensed bookmaker, which, inter alia, offers fixed-odds bets on the outcome of various lotteries around the world, including the South African national lottery, sporting events and other betting contingencies. Lottoland competes with other licensed bookmakers in South Africa such as Hollywood Bets, World Sports Betting, Betway, Betfred (which owns Lottostar) and Netbet (which trades as Sportingbet).

In summary, Lottoland alleged that Google terminated its access to Google Ads without justification while allowing access to its competitors, causing it financial harm and distorting competition in the market that Lottoland operates in, to the detriment of consumers.

Google contended that Lottoland’s offering of fixed-odds bets on the outcome of the national lottery in South Africa contravenes sections 57(1) and 57(2)(g) of the Lotteries Act. It submitted that in terms of its online advertising policies, which are designed to protect users, restrictions are placed on the promotion of certain gambling activities. Of particular relevance, the promotion of lotteries is limited to state-licensed entities and that this restriction is in place to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Lotteries Act.

Reasons for Decision

A non-confidential version of the Tribunal’s reasons will be published in due course once any confidentiality claims in relation to the reasons have been finalised with the parties involved. In deciding the matter, the Tribunal considered the following three factors holistically, balancing each factor against the other to determine what is reasonable and just:

• Evidence relating to the alleged prohibited practice;

• The need to prevent serious or irreparable damage to the applicant (Lottoland); and

• The balance of convenience.

The post South Africa: Tribunal Grants Lottoland Interim Relief – Orders Google to Grant Lottoland Access to its Advertising Platform appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Africa

Hollywoodbets to deploy ClearStake’s ID by Bank for improved player verification

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Hollywoodbets has agreed to integrate ClearStake’s ID by Bank solution as the operator looks to streamline and enhance its customer due diligence (CDD) processes.

Through the partnership, Hollywoodbets customers in the United Kingdom will soon be able to verify their identity within seconds using their banking app, removing the need to manually upload identity documents.

ClearStake’s technology is also proven to significantly reduce the operational workload associated with CDD checks.

Tyla Labuschagne, Compliance Manager at Hollywoodbets, said: “Customer due diligence is a critical part of operating responsibly. By integrating ClearStake’s ID by Bank solution, we can make identity verification faster and more intuitive for customers, while significantly reducing the manual workload for our teams. This allows us to improve compliance outcomes, streamline operations and remove friction at key moments in the player journey.”

Martin Burt, CEO of ClearStake, added: “One of the biggest challenges operators face is completing customer due diligence efficiently without creating unnecessary friction for customers or operational teams. By enabling customers to verify their identity securely through their banking app via ID by Bank, operators like Hollywoodbets can complete CDD checks in seconds, reduce reliance on manual document reviews and strengthen compliance outcomes.”

The post Hollywoodbets to deploy ClearStake’s ID by Bank for improved player verification appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Africa

Booming Games teams up with Agreegain to power continued African growth

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  • Booming Games has teamed up with Agreegain to drive growth in various markets throughout Africa.
  • Booming Games will utilize Agreegain’s aggregation platform to link with casino operators throughout the continent.

Booming Games, a top supplier of high-quality gaming content, has today revealed a strategic alliance with Agreegain, a rapidly expanding iGaming solutions provider. This action will stimulate a fresh surge of growth for Booming Games throughout Africa, as the company aims to quickly broaden its international footprint in regulated markets.

The collaboration will link Booming Games with numerous casino operators in Africa via Agreegain’s game aggregation platform, employing advanced technology to provide compliant, quick integrations effortlessly. Booming Games’ titles will be accessible on Agreegain’s API platform, utilized by top operators throughout Africa. The platform features more than 10,000 games, which encompass slots, live casino options, and table games.

Booming Games is launching more titles than ever and aims to enhance both the quantity and quality of its lineup in 2026. Teaming up with Agreegain further exemplifies its commitment to delivering top-notch games to players worldwide, as Booming Games will extend the availability of these titles throughout Africa.

The collaboration reinforces Booming Games’ dedication to providing an exceptional experience for players through the use of advanced technology. With each new game, Booming Games also creates customized content for specific markets. The gaming sector in Africa has recently exceeded $600 million in revenue, presenting a distinct opportunity for Booming Games to grow its offerings.

Solomon Godwin, Head of Africa at Booming Games, said: “We are thrilled to announce our new strategic partnership with Agreegain, marking an exciting milestone forward in enhancing our gaming offering. This collaboration strengthens our commitment in delivering innovative gaming experience and engaging gameplay to players globally.”

Maria Afzaal, Senior Partner Manager at Agreegain, said: “Partnering with Booming Games marks an exciting step forward in expanding our portfolio with a leading provider known for its dynamic and engaging slot content. Licensed in all major jurisdictions, most notably Malta and the United Kingdom, Booming Games demonstrates a strong commitment to quality, compliance, and innovation — making them a valuable addition to our growing network of trusted global partners.”

The post Booming Games teams up with Agreegain to power continued African growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Blueprint Gaming Expands into South Africa Through Strategic Partnership with Hollywoodbets

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Blueprint Gaming™ has enhanced its foothold in the South African market via a major alliance with top operator Hollywoodbets, offering a wider range of its globally acclaimed slot titles to players in the area.

Although Blueprint has been operational in South Africa since late 2025, this agreement signifies its initial significant launch with a top-tier operator in the country, highlighting a key advancement in its long-term regional plan.

Through the collaboration, Hollywoodbets will launch a variety of Blueprint’s most recognized and top-performing games, featuring its successful Cash Strike series and the consistently favored Fishin’ Frenzy, along with a selection of celebrated IP-based titles like Ted™.

Blueprint has established a reputation for merging well-known intellectual property with robust mathematical models and focused gameplay, producing titles that consistently appeal across regulated markets. The addition of this portfolio to Hollywoodbets’ live game selection further enriches the operator’s content variety, offering players reliable games supported by global performance credentials.

South Africa ranks among the most advanced and established gaming markets in Africa, backed by a strong regulatory system and a rich history of retail betting. As digital adoption speeds up and online casinos keep rising in popularity, the market offers substantial long-term growth opportunities for high-quality content providers.

Through a collaboration with Hollywoodbets, one of the leading betting brands in the country, Blueprint gains instant access to a vast, active customer base along with extensive local market knowledge. The partnership enables the studio to achieve significant growth in South Africa, while also creating a strategic base for broader expansion throughout the African continent.

Sam Haggblom, Director of Business Development at Blueprint Gaming™, said: “South Africa represents a compelling opportunity for Blueprint. It is a mature and well-established market with a clear appetite for high-quality online casino content.

“Introducing our wide and performance-focused portfolio through Hollywoodbets allows us to showcase the depth and versatility of our games to a new audience. We see strong long-term potential not only in South Africa but across the wider African landscape.”

Wayde Dorkin, Head of Product at Hollywoodbets, added: “Blueprint Gaming’s portfolio has delivered consistent results across multiple regulated markets worldwide.

“The addition of established brands such as Cash Strike and Fishin’ Frenzy further strengthens our online casino offering, enabling us to continue providing players with proven, high-quality and internationally recognised content.”

The post Blueprint Gaming Expands into South Africa Through Strategic Partnership with Hollywoodbets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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