Africa
South Africa: Tribunal Grants Lottoland Interim Relief – Orders Google to Grant Lottoland Access to its Advertising Platform
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.
Johannesburg venue rebrands as 10bet Ellis Park under new partnership agreement.
Ellis Park Stadium has signed a five-year naming rights agreement with sportsbook brand 10bet, rebranding the Johannesburg venue as 10bet Ellis Park.
10bet Africa Marketing VP Michelle Colborne said: “We are incredibly proud to announce 10bet as the official naming rights partner of Ellis Park Stadium,” adding, “This is more than a naming rights agreement; it is the start of an exciting journey with a stadium that has played such a powerful role in South African sport.”
Ellis Park Stadium Managing Director Pieter Burger said the deal marks “a fresh and exciting chapter for the stadium,” adding: “We are delighted to welcome 10bet into the Ellis Park family as our official naming rights partner.”
10bet brand ambassador and former Springbok Butch James said: “Ellis Park has always been one of the most iconic stadiums in world rugby, and it’s fantastic to see 10bet committing to such a significant partnership.”
The parties said the partnership will focus on improving the matchday experience and, “in partnership with the relevant stakeholders,” supporting the inner-city project around the stadium precinct.
The post Ellis Park Stadium signs five-year naming rights deal with 10bet appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Organisers say the annual community race drew more than 3,500 spectators, with Botswana Gambling Authority and the Ministry of Sport and Arts involved.
PopOK Gaming has sponsored Botswana’s annual TT Cup Challenge Horse Racing Event, backing the community race as it drew what organisers described as its biggest crowd to date.
The company said this year’s TT Cup Challenge attracted more than 3,500 spectators from neighbouring villages. The event is positioned as a community sports fixture celebrating Botswana’s horse racing tradition.
PopOK Gaming said it worked alongside long-standing partners including the Botswana Gambling Authority and the Ministry of Sport and Arts, and with TT Cup founder Mr. Tymon and other sponsors, to support delivery of the event.
The company also used the event for stakeholder engagement, saying its team met with Mr. Kemorwale, CEO of the Botswana Gambling Authority, and the Hon. Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng. PopOK Gaming said discussions covered the future of Botswana’s gaming sector, industry development, and opportunities for collaboration.
PopOK Gaming said the sponsorship forms part of its wider strategy to build partnerships in regulated markets while supporting community engagement and responsible industry development.
The post PopOK Gaming sponsors Botswana’s TT Cup Challenge horse racing event appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
SpringbokCasino.co.za has launched a July promotion offering players 25 free spins on SpinLogic slot title Seahorse Surge, using coupon code MINIONS. The operator said the offer is valid throughout July on its South Africa-facing site.
The campaign is positioned around a “Minions in the Wild – Nature’s Greatest Helpers” theme, timed to coincide with the release window of a new Minions film. SpringbokCasino’s creative frames the promotion through five animal “archetypes” — meerkats, hyenas, dassies, warthogs and elephants — as analogies for different styles of play.
“Every ecosystem needs its helpers, and every winning session needs the right mix of patience, timing, and a little bit of glorious chaos,” said Daniel Van Wyke, Casino Manager at SpringbokCasino. “This July, we celebrate South Africa’s wildest ‘Minions’—and give our players 25 free spins to cause some fun trouble of their own.”
SpringbokCasino described Seahorse Surge as featuring “cascading wins and rising multipliers.”
The press release also links to a video version of the story hosted at https://lyceum.video/casinonews/260701/260701.mp4.
The post SpringbokCasino ties July free spins to ‘Minions in the Wild’ campaign appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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