Africa
Football legend Michael Owens joins SunBet as a Brand Ambassador
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
Playson launches online casino games in Nigeria via BetKing deal
Playson has partnered with KingMakers to launch a selection of its online casino titles in Nigeria through the operator group’s sportsbook and gaming brand, BetKing.
Under the agreement, Playson will distribute a portfolio of games to BetKing players via the EveryMatrix aggregation platform. The supplier said the games have been rebuilt and optimised for African audiences.
First titles live include Coin Strike: Hold and Win, Energy Coins: Hold and Win, and Sevens & Fruits: 20 lines.
Conor Jenner, Senior Sales Manager at Playson, said: “Partnering with KingMakers is another exciting step in our expansion across Africa, a region that continues to present significant opportunities for growth and innovation.
“BetKing has built a formidable reputation and loyal player base in Nigeria and beyond, making them an ideal partner for our content. We are particularly pleased to launch with a selection of games optimised specifically for African markets, ensuring players receive a highly engaging entertainment experience from day one.”
Nick Baker at KingMakers, said: “Playson’s portfolio features a strong mix of proven-performing content and engaging gameplay, making this partnership an excellent addition to our casino offering.
“We are committed to delivering first-class entertainment experiences for our players, and integrating games tailored for our markets supports that ambition while strengthening the quality of content available through BetKing.”
The post Playson launches online casino games in Nigeria via BetKing deal appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Africa
WorldGaming Enters into Partnership with African iGaming Alliance
WorldGaming has entered into a partnership with the African iGaming Alliance. The first major initiative delivered through the partnership will be the launch of the Africa Summit at iGB L!VE London, taking place on July 1. The business-critical Summit brings together African regulators, international operators, suppliers and industry stakeholders to explore market development and market entry, regulatory cooperation, investment opportunities and sustainable growth across the continent.
Sponsored by SmartSoft Gaming, the Africa Summit will bring together local regulators and operators for direct insight into the regulatory priorities, commercial opportunities and market dynamics shaping gaming in African markets.
Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, former Botswana gambling regulator and CEO of the African iGaming Alliance, said the partnership would help position African markets to play a more active role in shaping the global gaming conversation.
“Africa is one of the most dynamic and strategically important regions in global gaming. Through our partnership with WorldGaming, we want to ensure African regulators, policymakers and industry leaders are not just part of the global conversation, but helping to shape it.
“The Africa Summit at iGB L!VE will be the first expression of that partnership, creating a platform for practical collaboration, knowledge exchange and sustainable market growth.”
Stuart Hunter, Managing Director of WorldGaming, said the partnership reflected the company’s commitment to supporting operators and suppliers looking to understand and enter high-growth markets.
“We are delighted to be working with the African iGaming Alliance to launch the Africa Summit at iGB L!VE.
“Africa represents one of the most important growth opportunities in global gaming, but success depends on market knowledge, regulatory understanding and trusted local engagement. The Summit has been created to give delegates exactly that.”
The Africa Summit agenda will cover a wide range of business-critical topics including regulatory cooperation, growth through best practice, the future of taxation, adapting global products for local audiences, sports betting, responsible gaming, player protection and integrity, AML, mobile money, KYC and player acquisition.
The programme will also include region-specific roundtables focused on markets across west, east and southern Africa.
The post WorldGaming Enters into Partnership with African iGaming Alliance appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Africa
Gaming Tech Summit Africa convenes regulators and operators in Nairobi
Gaming Tech Summit Africa (GTSA) brought regulators, policymakers and gaming industry stakeholders to Nairobi on 4 June for its third edition, hosted at the Argyle Grand Hotel.
Organisers positioned the event around the theme “Building Africa’s Sustainable & Scalable Gaming Tech Industry,” with agenda focus areas including taxation, consumer protection, enforcement against illegal operators, and the role of digital payments in fast-growing online betting and gaming markets.
The press release cited market projections that Africa’s online betting and gaming sector could grow from an estimated US$12.7 billion in 2026 to US$19.4 billion by 2030, framing the sector as increasingly relevant to public revenue, investor confidence and regulatory consistency across jurisdictions.
Kenya’s hosting role was highlighted as a key context point, with organisers pointing to its status as a major gaming and digital payments market. The summit also said it was officially endorsed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya.
“Africa’s gaming industry has reached a stage where growth must be matched by responsibility, structure and long-term thinking,” said David Moshi,Managing Director at Velex Advisory. “The value of this summit lies in bringing the right people into one room to have honest conversations about where the industry is headed and what must be done to build a stronger foundation. Our ambition goes beyond hosting a successful summit; it is to support a more connected, transparent and sustainable gaming ecosystem across Africa.”
Companies named as participants included Afitech, 1xBet, BetConstruct, SharpVision, Aviator, BMM Testlabs and Evidentia AI, among others.
The post Gaming Tech Summit Africa convenes regulators and operators in Nairobi appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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