Connect with us

Africa

Football legend Michael Owens joins SunBet as a Brand Ambassador

Published

on

football-legend-michael-owens-joins-sunbet-as-a-brand-ambassador
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

In a stunning coup, former Liverpool, Manchester United, and England star Michael Owen is to spearhead Sun International’s online betting platform SunBet’s attack as brand ambassador.

Leading online betting platform SunBet, part of the Sun International group, has signed footballing superstar and world-renowned pundit Michael Owen as its brand ambassador.

Owen has signed an exclusive deal from June 2023 as part of the betting platform’s 13th birthday celebrations, heralding a new era for the business.

SunBet CEO Simon Gregory said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Michael on board as a brand ambassador to provide and share his deep insights of the game of football with SunBet customers.

“Anyone who loves the English Premier League and football in general will appreciate his deep knowledge of the game, coupled with his articulate and insightful commentary and analysis which have made him one of the most sought-after football media personalities in the world.

“As a former player at the highest level, he knows exactly what goes through the minds of players and managers at key points in a match and during the course of an arduous season and brings this to bear in his commentary and analysis.”

The 2001 Ballon d’Or winner will provide score predictions, expert tips and insights, weekly football betting odds, and signed memorabilia, among other duties. Owen, who is also an accomplished racehorse owner and trainer, will also be relied on to give periodic and fascinating insights into the horseracing industry.

“I have come to know South Africa very well over the years in my various roles as a football analyst and I know the deep and incredible passion there is for football in this country. From the PSL, to the Premier League and I cannot wait to share my knowledge and passion with SunBet fans. I am thrilled to be joining one of South Africa’s leading brands and one which shares my passion and enthusiasm for football, horse racing and other pursuits,” said Owen.
Owen burst onto the football scene with English giants Liverpool in 1997 as a 17-year-old, becoming the club’s youngest player as well as goal scorer. In a footballing career that took him from the Reds to bitter rivals Manchester United and Newcastle United, via Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid, Owen scored over 220 goals in nearly 500 appearances at the club level. His exploits at international level were equally impressive, as he netted 40 goals in 89 appearances for England.

From strength to strength

In 13 short years, SunBet has grown from a platform that began with the main sporting codes of football, rugby, cricket, golf, horseracing major events such as world cups and more.

The SunBet platform has further evolved into offering fixed odd bets on the outcome of slots and tables games such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat.

In 2022, SunBet paid out well over R1-billion as online entertainment continues to show impressive growth. “We are predicting another great year for SunBet as our customer numbers are up and we are predicting record revenues for the 2023 financial year.

“However, without a doubt, football remains our biggest ticket item and SunBet is able to provide soccer betting offerings with literally thousands of markets and competitive odds,” explained Gregory.

The installation of a pundit of the stature of Michael Owen is a sign of things to come as SunBet lines up another record-breaking year.

 

Africa

Virgin Bet goes live in South Africa

Published

on

virgin-bet-goes-live-in-south-africa

Virgin Bet is excited to reveal the start of its operations in South Africa, signifying the brand’s inaugural expansion beyond the UK.

Launching in 2019, Virgin Bet has developed into a top betting brand in the UK. Its expansion into the South African market signifies a significant milestone in the brand’s development, marking its debut in an international market.

Virgin Bet operates under LiveScore Group, a worldwide frontrunner in sports media and betting, which includes renowned brands such as LiveScore, LiveScore Bet, and Virgin Bet. The introduction in South Africa enhances the company’s presence in Africa, expanding on LiveScore Bet’s current operations in Nigeria.

Responsible gambling is fundamental to the virginbet.co.za platform, prioritizing player wellbeing as a key element. The brand provides an extensive array of responsible gambling resources, such as deposit caps, time-outs, and self-exclusion choices for every customer, along with strict age verification measures. Dedicated local customer support teams back these measures, and additional initiatives are set for South Africa to promote safer gambling, aligning with Virgin Bet’s overall corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments.

Ahead of its launch, Virgin Bet has been consistently forming a robust local leadership team to assist its long-term goals in South Africa, featuring Gail Odgers, recognized as one of iGaming South Africa’s most “influential women in gaming,” as the Head of Marketing.

Virgin Bet is driven by its brand mission, “A Good Bet,” signifying that every wager should be thrilling and beneficial regardless of the result, as players maintain control and gamble responsibly.

Virgin Bet is dedicated to providing its customers with outstanding rewards. Spanning from wagering promotions to unique deals within the broader Virgin ecosystem, the brand seeks to provide exceptional experiences while keeping betting enjoyable and secure.

Gail Odgers, Head of Marketing, Virgin Bet South Africa, said: “Launching in South Africa is a proud moment for us. At Virgin Bet, we believe that ‘A Good Bet’ means delivering standout experiences for our customers, while also taking our responsibility to players and communities seriously.

South Africans care deeply about sport. Whether it’s football, rugby or cricket, sport is part of everyday conversation. That passion is what makes this market so exciting for us.

Our role is to enhance that experience responsibly, offering standout moments and exceptional rewards, while setting a high standard for responsible gambling from day one. We’re focused on building trust and introducing Virgin Bet in a way that South Africans can feel confident in.”

The post Virgin Bet goes live in South Africa appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

40 Sparkling Crown

TaDa Gaming Enters South Africa via Strategic Betway Partnership

Published

on

tada-gaming-enters-south-africa-via-strategic-betway-partnership

TaDa Gaming marks its entry into the South African iGaming market through a landmark partnership with Betway, bringing premium casino content to local players.

With slots tailored for the SA market, Betway players will have immediate access to releases including Crazy 777, Coin Tree, 40 Sparkling Crown, Devil Fire 2 and Rapid Gems 777 as well as the Fortune Gems series. Distribution is through Light & Wonder Inc.

TaDa is renowned for attracting new and younger demographics with its immersive content. As winner of the SiGMA Africa Slot Newcomer of the Year, 2025, all games are expertly localised and mobile first for lightweight deployment and swift loading times, a critical factor for success.

Taking a glocalised approach has enabled TaDa to build a transnational brand across the continent for delivering scalable, regulated business success in emerging and high growth countries.

This experience gained from operating in over 15 countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania makes TaDa a valuable partner in South Africa, a key destination for the ambitious content provider.

Ray Lee, Director of Business Development at TaDa Gaming, said: “Building our brand for immersive and tailored gaming in South Africa has been enhanced through securing collaborations with key operators like Betway. We are delighted to be working together to deliver new and exciting experiences for players across the SA market.”

The post TaDa Gaming Enters South Africa via Strategic Betway Partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Africa

TaDa Gaming Officially Enters the Regulated South African Market

Published

on

tada-gaming-officially-enters-the-regulated-south-african-market

TaDa Gaming has reinforced its presence and brand in African iGaming through its latest entry to the regulated South African market.

SA is currently considered the most mature market in Africa with strong internet penetration, high smartphone usage and higher disposable income per capita.

With potential regulation change under debate, new laws would enable a regulated market model to be in place within the next few years. Reputable industry sources have projected approximately €3.9 billion ($4.2 billion or around R80 billion) in annual gambling revenue by 2030, making it a significant growth market.

TaDa began its African journey in 2024 with betPawa, the largest gaming platform on the continent. This gave TaDa access to over 15 countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania.

Furthermore, TaDa honed its knowledge of individual African countries’ regulations, cultural mores and player behaviours alongside a dedicated programme to reduce size and loading times for mobile first games in line with local infrastructure limitations and player device types but with no adverse effect on quality or entertainment value.

Enhanced by its roster of international gaming licences, TaDa is known for its expert “glocalisation” or global core mechanics/local content strategic approach to new markets. With a significant Crash portfolio and award-winning gamification tools, TaDa has quickly built a name for innovative and immersive gaming experiences among African players.

In 2025, SiGMA Africa voted TaDa as Best Slot Newcomer through games such as the renowned Fortune Gems series; Crazy 777, Coin Tree and global hit Devil Fire 2. Subsequent hit releases certified for SA also include 40 Sparkling Crown and Rapid Gems 777.

Armed with this know-how and brand awareness, TaDa is a valuable partner and the regulated South African market has responded positively. With leading operator and platform collaborations and partnerships in place, TaDa has begun to build its brand for immersive gaming across SA.

As the largest and most established iGaming ecosystem on the continent, SA continues to be a key destination for TaDa across 2026 and beyond. In anticipation that South Africa will follow the UK and Ontario’s lead in regulations in the long-term, providers like TaDa who hold both UKGC and AGCO licences are expected to be in demand with operators and players alike.

Ray Lee, Director of Business Development at TaDa Gaming, said: “Having polished our skills and know-how across multiple emerging African markets over the last year, we are confident that our localised and certified content will quickly resonate with players in South Africa. Launching with market leaders enhances our credibility for delivering visibly fair and high quality gaming experiences while our regulated approach will stand us in good stead for the future.”

The post TaDa Gaming Officially Enters the Regulated South African Market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania