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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

Booming Games and SportPesa forge strategic partnership to elevate the African gaming market

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Booming Games is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in its growth journey through a strategic partnership with the leading African operator, SportPesa. This collaboration marks a pivotal step forward in Booming Games’ mission to expand its footprint in the African gaming market.

As a result of this partnership, Booming Games’ high-quality slots are now seamlessly integrated into SportPesa’s platform, enabling players across Africa to access an array of top-performing titles.

Notable games include fan favourites such as ‘Burning Classic’, ‘Gold Gold Gold’, ‘TNT Bonanza’, and ‘Cash Pig’. Additionally, SportPesa’s players will now have access to Booming Games’ diverse portfolio, featuring exciting games like ‘Ronaldinho Spins’, ‘Power of the Vikings’ and ‘Buffalo Hold and Win’.

This collaboration underscores SportPesa’s commitment to growth and innovation, as well as its strategic focus on fostering robust partnerships to achieve new heights in the global gaming industry with partners such as Booming Games.

Solomon Godwin, Head of Africa at Booming Games, expressed his enthusiasm: “We’re delighted to continue our expansion in the African betting markets, and SportPesa’s strong and trusted brand will only enhance these possibilities. Our slot offerings are as wide-ranging as they are high quality, providing exceptional entertainment and sustainability for their customers. We believe we can offer real value to African players.”

Paul Wilson, Senior Product Manager at SportPesa, added: “We are very happy with the new partnership with Booming Games. Offering their immersive, dynamic, and vibrant games to our customers in Kenya, Sportpesa Tanzania, and around the globe on our platform is exciting. Booming Games’ titles will be a great addition to our market-leading casino lobby, and I’m sure our customers will enjoy playing them.”

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IBIA and the AIA sign a strategic partnership to strengthen sports betting integrity across Africa

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Protecting African sports and regulated betting operators from match-fixing

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and the African iGaming Alliance (AIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration and promote integrity across Africa’s rapidly developing sports competitions and betting markets. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two associations, each representing regulated betting operators, to support responsible and sustainable sports betting markets across the continent.

Under the terms of the MoU, IBIA will become the AIA’s strategic betting integrity partner, while AIA will act as IBIA’s primary betting policy and regulation partner for Africa. The partnership will facilitate the exchange of information, joint engagement and coordinated policy initiatives aimed at protecting consumers, regulated operators and sports from betting-related match-fixing.

Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, CEO of AIA, commented: “Integrity is the foundation of Africa’s betting future. This partnership between the AIA and IBIA represents a decisive step towards ensuring that Africa’s growing betting industry is anchored on trust, transparency, and accountability. As a pan-African industry platform, AIA is committed to working with global integrity leaders like IBIA to harmonise standards, promote responsible gaming, and support regulators in safeguarding markets from manipulation and illicit practices. Together, we can strengthen Africa’s credibility as a world-class, igaming frontier.”

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “Africa represents one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing betting markets in the world. Ensuring that this growth is underpinned by robust sports betting integrity standards and effective regulation is essential. Our partnership with the African iGaming Alliance reinforces our shared commitment to supporting a sustainable, well-regulated African betting industry that safeguards consumers and sporting competitions alike.”

The partnership will enable both organisations to share insights on betting integrity, regulatory developments and policy trends across Africa. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening integrity frameworks for regulated betting operators and to fostering closer cooperation between the associations’ members.

From 2020 to Q3 2025, IBIA reported 131 suspicious betting alerts across African sporting events, primarily involving football (64) and tennis (62).

Backed by over 90 operators and 200 betting brands, IBIA safeguards sport and regulated betting markets through global monitoring, intelligence sharing and stakeholder collaboration. It monitors over 1.5 million sporting events and $300bn in bets each year. Its alerts have contributed to the successful prosecution of numerous match-fixing cases worldwide, reinforcing IBIA’s role as a trusted partner to regulators, sports and policymakers.

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South Africa’s Top Gamers Crowned at 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Grand Finals at Canal Walk

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Massive wins, standout talent and a showdown wrapped up five months of fierce competition across the country.

After months of qualifiers and regional heats at eight Hyprop malls across South Africa, the MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience reached its electrifying conclusion at Canal Walk Shopping Centre. With hundreds of spectators and players packing the gaming arena, the national finals brought the heat and crowned South Africa’s best in EAFC 25™, Beat Saber, Call of Duty and more.

In the EAFC National Final, Hamza Moosa (17) from Sandton, proved why he’s one of the country’s most exciting young talents. A professional esports player for Goliath Gaming, Moosa outplayed the competition to take top honours. A familiar name on the international stage, he recently represented South Africa at the Esports World Cup qualifier in Saudi Arabia. Hamza left the MTN SHIFT Gaming national finals with prize money of R25000.

Beat Saber fans saw a fast-paced, high-score battle won by Michael Prange (17) from Pretoria and Garsfontein High School. Ranked #2 nationally, Prange is also a two-time Beat Saber World Cup competitor and has helped shape South Africa’s competitive VR rhythm community through coaching, mentorship, and global participation. As the 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Beat Saber national champion, Michael won a Gaming PC valued at R50000.

In the schools division, Ridhaa April, 15, from Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs, took the EAFC title. A prodigious talent who’s been competing since the age of 12, Ridhaa plays professionally for Goliath Gaming and already holds multiple top finishes, including 1st place at the 2025 ASL.

In the Rocket League school tournament, Curro took top spot, followed by Edgemead High in second place.

Meanwhile, Call of Duty Mobile closed out the finals with serious intensity as returning champions Nixuh held onto their title. The dominant team of Magicz (Raees Ismail), Adnaan (Adnaan Bhamjee), Raz (Rahil Bux) and Enigma (Jameen Essa) walked away with a R30 000 cash prize.

“The atmosphere at this year’s finals was absolutely electric,” said Vanessa Herbst, Marketing Manager at Canal Walk Shopping Centre. “The level of skill on display was unreal, and the crowd brought their energy every day. The bar has been set very high for the 2026 edition.”

The MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience is South Africa’s biggest mall-based gaming tournament, played over five months across Gauteng and the Western Cape. Regional heats were hosted at Rosebank Mall, Clearwater Mall, The Glen, Woodlands, Table Bay Mall, Somerset Mall and Capegate Shopping Centre, with the final week of competition culminating at Canal Walk. The tournament drew thousands of players across all skill levels, offering more than R250 000 in prizes and a platform to compete in front of live audiences.

“The SHIFT Gaming Experience is about bringing high-level competition into public spaces and giving players of all ages the opportunity to compete, connect and grow,” said Christie Stanbridge, Brand and Campaigns Marketing Manager at Hyprop. “From pros representing South Africa on global stages to young players discovering their potential, far more than being entertaining, this year highlighted gaming as a space for learning, discipline and community.”

With the 2025 tournament wrapped, planning is already underway for an even bigger return in 2026.

The post South Africa’s Top Gamers Crowned at 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Grand Finals at Canal Walk appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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