Africa
Basketball Africa League To Tip Off Historic Inaugural Season In May

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) announced that the league’s historic inaugural season will tip off Sunday, May 16 at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, with 12 teams from across Africa competing in the new professional league. The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) (www.NBA.com), builds on the foundation of club competitions FIBA Regional Office Africa has organized on the continent and marks the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside of North America. The first BAL Finals will be held Sunday, May 30.
The BAL will implement robust health and safety protocols for the 12 teams and personnel traveling to Rwanda, based on guidance from the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, with advice from public health officials and medical experts.
“We are thrilled that the inaugural Basketball Africa League season will take place at the world-class Kigali Arena,” said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall. “Through the BAL, we will provide a platform for elite players from across the continent to showcase their talent and inspire fans of all ages, use basketball as an economic growth engine across Africa, and shine a light on Africa’s vibrant sporting culture.”
“We are extremely happy to finally launch the highly anticipated first season of the BAL,” said FIBA Africa and BAL Board President Anibal Manave. “FIBA and the NBA have been working closely together to develop protocols to address the health and safety of all players, coaches and officials. The experience of hosting the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers in Rwanda late last year will contribute to a safe and successful inaugural BAL season.”
The league today also announced an adjusted competition format for the inaugural season, which will feature a total of 26 games at the Kigali Arena. The competition will tip off with an 18-game group phase with the 12 teams divided into three groups of four. During the group phase, each team will face the three other teams in its group once. The top eight teams from the group phase will qualify for the playoffs, which will be single elimination in all three rounds.
Powered by WPeMatico
Africa
Tanzania Gaming Board Warns Families About Risks Posed by Betting on PlayStation Games

The Gaming Board of Tanzania (GBT) has warned parents about the risks posed by betting on PlayStation games, urging families to take action.
Last week, Daniel Olesumayan, Acting Director General of GBT, addressed the issue during a meeting with media editors organised by the Treasury Registrar’s Office.
The gathering aimed to increase awareness about gambling activities and clarify the GBT’s regulatory responsibilities. Olesumayan stressed the importance of keeping children away from gambling, highlighting that it is primarily the parents’ duty to supervise their children’s gadget usage.
“As parents, we must protect our children. It is important to track how they use gadgets intended to stimulate their minds. PlayStation games turned into gambling must only operate in board-approved locations,” he said.
The growth of Tanzania’s gambling industry is evident, with the GBT registering 62 companies and issuing a remarkable 8549 licenses in the 2024/25 financial year.
This number includes licenses for various activities, such as the National Lottery and sports betting, with some companies holding multiple licenses to operate different types of gambling across various locations.
“The sector’s tax revenue surged by 97 percent, from Sh131.9 billion in 2020/21 to Sh260 billion in 2024/25,” Mr Olesumayan said.
He also noted that the ability to place bets as low as Sh1000 has contributed to the impressive growth.
Even with recent advancements, the GBT still faces significant challenges, particularly with illegal slot machines that operate without registration. These machines often attract children, posing risks not only to minors but also to the integrity of the gambling sector.
To tackle these issues, GBT is looking to the future with plans to utilise technology for better management of the industry and also enhance the skills of staff for more effective oversight. The regulator has also established more zonal offices and recently banned foreigners from operating slot machines.
Additionally, the board is set to launch a nationwide responsible gaming campaign aimed at educating young people about the dangers of problem gambling and promoting safer gaming habits.
The post Tanzania Gaming Board Warns Families About Risks Posed by Betting on PlayStation Games appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
Ghana Gaming Commission Introduces Mandatory Biometric Verification

The Ghana Gaming Commission has introduced a significant change to the gambling industry by mandating biometric identification for every bet placed within the country. This new rule applies to all forms of gambling including online and physical sportsbooks, casinos and promotional games. Alongside recent tax reforms, this measure represents a strong move toward modernising and securing the gambling landscape in Ghana.
Gambling operators are now required to integrate their platforms with the National Identification Authority’s (NIA) database. Every player must verify their identity using fingerprint or facial recognition technology both at the point of placing bets and when claiming winnings. The only acceptable form of identification will be the Ghana Card, issued by the NIA.
According to Emmanuel Siki Quainoo, the acting commissioner of the Gaming Commission, this initiative aims to protect the industry from criminal misuse and enforce stricter responsible gambling measures. It is designed to slow down betting activities, allowing players to make more thoughtful decisions regarding their gambling behaviour.
Operators have a strict timeline of just one month to fully implement and test these biometric verification systems. Non-compliance could result in suspension of licenses or refusal of renewals, as the Commission has pledged to enforce these regulations rigorously without exceptions.
The primary goals behind these updated regulations are to prevent fraud and stop underage gambling. Additionally, these measures aim to increase transparency in the gambling industry, which has been scrutinised over possible money laundering and unmonitored cash flows. By associating all gambling transactions with verified biometric data, authorities can more effectively monitor and identify irregular activities.
The mandatory biometric checks also enhance responsible gambling protections. Regulatory bodies can monitor dangerous betting behaviors, impose limits on spending, and provide exclusion options for self-excluded players. This policy is part of a larger national digital initiative that uses identity-based verification across multiple regulated sectors.
The post Ghana Gaming Commission Introduces Mandatory Biometric Verification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
QTech Games recruits Agatha Wanjugu as Sales Manager for East Africa

Leading distributor for emerging markets announces the fulfilment of its new dedicated role for East Africa, based in Kenya
QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for all emerging markets, has recruited Agatha Wanjugu for the new role of Sales Manager for East Africa, as it continues its concerted push into the African market.
Based in Kenya, Agatha joins QTech Games after successful stints at iGaming Afrika, where she served with distinction as Business Development Manager – and, more recently, Pragmatic Play where she spent several years as Account Manager for Africa. In this previous position, she routinely proved herself in both account management and business development capacities, building and maintaining enduring client relationships, collaborating with sales forces and technical departments to optimise the overall customer experience.
This experience has seen Agatha establish a reputation as a natural leader with a communicative and consultative approach. Her igaming insights and recommendations for the region have helped deliver on revenue targets and inform strategic guidance, advancing the sales cycle and populating its pipeline with new leads.
Now Agatha brings those transferable skills to bear at the sector’s leading aggregator for developing markets, where she will be responsible for managing and growing QTech’s existing partners in East Africa.
QTech Games CEO, Philip Doftvik, said: “We’re thrilled that Agatha is already underway in her new role at QTech Games, as we train our sights and broaden our scope across East Africa. She is a precocious and natural sales lead and account manager, with the ability to develop client growth or retention strategies.
“She’ll be a true asset to both QTech Games and all our clients, as we grow in Africa to make it a substantial part of our total revenue mix. We have high growth ambitions here in the coming years. Ultimately, we want to dominate and build a stellar and agile brand in the region.”
Agatha Wanjugu added: “I’m excited to be starting at QTech Games, and really feel they have given me the support to put my shoulder to the wheel for expansion in this bubbling and evolving marketplace.
“I’ll be responsible for managing QTech’s existing East African partners, alongside stewarding our expansion into neighbouring local territories. I’ve always based my business relationships on the ability to add value. Working with QTech, I’ve not only found a string of products that complement the different igaming verticals but also a strong, experienced team who are client-focused and always eager to make it work for the client.”
The post QTech Games recruits Agatha Wanjugu as Sales Manager for East Africa appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News7 days ago
SlotMatrix ignites the reels of West Virginia with Wild Extravaganza launch
-
Latest News7 days ago
SlotMatrix ignites the reels of West Virginia with Wild Extravaganza launch
-
Esportes Gaming Brasil7 days ago
Esportes Gaming Brasil introduces LOTTU, its new digital betting platform focused on innovation and user experience
-
Latest News4 days ago
Sweet Fortune Megaways: A Sweet Slot with Free Spins and Expanding, Multiplying Wilds
-
Asia3 days ago
ED Arrests Karnataka MLA Veerendra “Puppy” in Illegal Betting Case
-
Latest News7 days ago
DATA.BET Secures Spot at SBC Summit 2025
-
Asia2 days ago
Macao Casino Sector Salaries Hit a 10-year High
-
gambling activities2 days ago
Uruguay Introduces New 0.75% Tax on Casino and Gaming Bets