Africa

World Sports Bodies raise Concern Over Kenya Copyright Bill

Published

4 years ago

February 15, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Kenya’s 2019 Copyright Amendment Bill, incorporates principles from the WIPO Internet Treaties of 1996, aimed at preventing unauthorised access to and use of creative works

A coalition of global sports bodies has written an open letter to the Kenyan government, expressing concern about the Copyright Amendment Bill currently before parliament, and its potential impact on the availability of international sports content in Kenya.

The Sports Rights Owner Coalition (SROC) is an alliance of more than 50 international and national sport bodies, representing some of the world’s leading sport codes and competitions – including the English Premier League, the FA Cup, Wimbledon, MotoGP, and the Rugby World Cup.

In the recent letter, signed by Chairman Mark Lichtenstein, the SROC says its members are “extremely concerned” at changes that will be made to Kenya’s Copyright Act if the Copyright Amendment Bill becomes law.

The SROC is particularly worried about proposals to repeal sections 35B, 35C and 35D of the Copyright Act, which allow for take-down notices issued to internet-based service provider platforms which enable content piracy to flourish.

A take-down notice is a widely used remedy employed by copyright owners worldwide, compelling online platforms to rapidly remove content from their websites if it is suspected that the content infringes copyright.

The Kenya Copyright Board (KeCOBO) champion of the Partners Against Piracy (PAP) initiative, has come out in support of the SROC letter.

“Take-down notices are a critical tool for copyright holders and related rights holders to fight digital content piracy by controlling the distribution and economic viability of their work and how it is accessed online,” says Edward Sigei, KeCOBO Executive Director.

“Across the world, they help to safeguard the intellectual property rights of sports rights owners. If rights owners cannot request that pirated sports content is taken down immediately, that will threaten the future of live sports broadcasts in Kenya. Why would international sports media allow sports broadcasts in Kenya, if they have no way of stopping them from being pirated!”

Kenya’s 2019 Copyright Amendment Bill, incorporates principles from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Internet Treaties of 1996, aimed at preventing unauthorised access to and use of creative works. Takedown notices are among these principles and are necessary tools to enforce copyright protections for rights owners and distributors.

If the Amendment Bill is passed into law, Kenya will be out of step with global trends, the average Kenyan will lose out on great sports entertainment. A further negative consequence of this Amendment Bill passing would be the reputational and economic investment quagmire it would create is jeopardising Kenya’s ability to renew participation in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Agreement (AGOA) program, as one of the additional provisions of renewal requires a demonstrated commitment to copyright protection as a prerequisite to signing. Repealing section 35 of the Copyright Act, would do the exact opposite and threaten investor confidence.

The SROC points out that in Europe, policy makers are strengthening not weakening the effectiveness of take-down notices, particularly regarding live content. New proposals to protect live content more effectively in Europe are expected in the first half of 2022.

“Were the Copyright Amendment Bill to be enacted, it could have devastating consequences for both the Kenyan economy and Kenyan consumers,” says the SROC letter. “Rights holders from sport and other creative industries are extremely unlikely to license their content in a jurisdiction that effectively legitimises piracy. Consumers would therefore be deprived from watching their favourite sports and television shows, and leave Kenya isolated on the global copyright stage.”

The coalition – which includes the English FA, UEFA, the IAAF, and the International Tennis Federation – goes on to ask that the proposed new law be urgently reconsidered “so as not to harm Kenyan consumers and threaten the availability of sports and entertainment content in Kenya.”

Africa

TaDa Strengthens its Presence in South Africa Through New Partnership with Sunbet

Published

3 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

tada-strengthens-its-presence-in-south-africa-through-new-partnership-with-sunbet

TaDa has strengthened its presence in the South African iGaming market through its new partnership with Sunbet, one of the country’s premier online gaming and sports betting operators.

The new collaboration supports TaDa Gaming’s continued growth in regulated markets and further strengthens its presence in South Africa’s rapidly evolving online gaming sector.

Winner of the SiGMA Africa Slot Newcomer of the Year 2025 award, TaDa’s mobile first, player-centric and expertly localised games stand out through their dynamic features and mechanics, immersive themes and easy onboarding that aligns with local preferences.

Sunbet customers will have immediate access to TaDa’s leading Fortune Gems series, including Fortune Gems 500 which is currently the top slot across African jurisdictions; while the retro slot machine design of Rapid Gems 777 has seen it quickly become a player favourite. Distribution is through Light & Wonder Inc.

Ray Lee, Director of Business Development, TaDa Gaming, said: “We are delighted to be working with Sunbet. Their strong customer focus and reputation for being ahead of the curve for innovative content gives us opportunities to increase our know-how, improve our localisation and continue to deliver great gaming experiences to more players across South Africa.”

Tyler Gentle, Casino Product Manager at Sunbet, said: “Great games are games that people come back to. They strike the right balance between simplicity, reward and engagement. TaDa’s games do that, and then some. They’re accessible, engaging and importantly, built to be played. And that’s why we’re so excited they are now part of Sunbet’s line up.”

The post TaDa Strengthens its Presence in South Africa Through New Partnership with Sunbet appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

Amusnet and Goldrush Strike Strategic Partnership to Enhance SA Online Gaming

Published

3 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

amusnet-and-goldrush-strike-strategic-partnership-to-enhance-sa-online-gaming

Amusnet, a leading global provider of premium gaming solutions, announced its official launch on Goldrush.co.za. Live as of 1 April 2026, the partnership brings Amusnet’s world-class portfolio of slots and classic casino titles to one of South Africa’s most trusted platforms.

Based in Cape Town, the Amusnet team is currently focused on establishing a strong local presence. Partnering with Goldrush – an operator with a 20-year South African heritage – is a cornerstone of this mission.

A Fresh Experience for Goldrush Players

Unlike “one-size-fits-all” providers, Amusnet’s integration with Goldrush offers a refined, high-performance selection:

• The “Hot” Series: Iconic titles like 20 Super Hot and Burning Hot deliver a classic casino feel that resonates with local players.

• Jackpot Cards: Access to a signature four-level jackpot feature, bringing international-standard excitement to the platform.

• Mobile-First Design: Meticulously optimised for local network conditions to ensure seamless, low-latency play on any device.

Cameron Green, Country Manager for Amusnet South Africa, said: “We are in an exciting growth phase in South Africa, and there is no better partner than Goldrush to help us build our local identity. We aren’t just adding games; we are introducing a new standard of global gaming excellence to a community that values reliability and authenticity. This launch is a proud milestone for our Cape Town-based team.”

Peter Amblianities, Marketing Manager at Goldrush, said: “Goldrush has a long history of providing quality entertainment. Welcoming Amusnet allows us to offer our players something fresh and internationally proven. We are excited to support Amusnet as they establish their footprint in South Africa and are busy planning great campaigns with them to bring an even more rewarding offering to our existing and new player base.”

This partnership marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration aimed at setting new benchmarks for the South African iGaming industry.

The post Amusnet and Goldrush Strike Strategic Partnership to Enhance SA Online Gaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

EveryMatrix goes live with Betsson Africa platform rollout in Cameroon

Published

4 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

everymatrix-goes-live-with-betsson-africa-platform-rollout-in-cameroon

Turnkey casino and sportsbook integration includes PAM, payments, affiliate tools and front-end development for Betsson’s Cameroon launch.

EveryMatrix said its platform technology is now live with Betsson Africa in Cameroon after completing a full turnkey casino and sports integration.

The supplier said it was selected via a competitive tender to deliver a bespoke platform package covering front-end development, casino, sports, player account management (PAM), payments and affiliate management.

Ebbe Groes, Group Co-CEO & Co-founder EveryMatrix, said: “Delivering a full turnkey platform solution for Betsson Africa reflects the strength and maturity of our technology and delivery capabilities in regulated environments, while reinforcing our commitment to the continent.

“Our focus is on supporting a stable and compliant launch in Cameroon and working closely with the Betsson team as the operation develops.”

Rony Richa, Commercial Director at Betsson Group, said: “This launch reflects a pragmatic approach by Betsson as we explore selected regulated markets. EveryMatrix was chosen for its proven technology, regulatory experience, and capability to support a structured and controlled rollout.”

The post EveryMatrix goes live with Betsson Africa platform rollout in Cameroon appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.