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
SOFTSWISS Deepens Safer Play as Platinum Partner of Responsible Gambling Summit 2025

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SOFTSWISS, an international technology provider with over 15 years in the iGaming sector, has partnered with South African entities for the Responsible Gambling Summit 2025, reinforcing its commitment to safe, sustainable play in one of its key growth regions. The two-day summit, organised by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation, brings together regulators, operators, and experts to advance harm minimisation and industry collaboration.
The Responsible Gambling Summit 2025 will take place from 13 to 14 November in Johannesburg, South Africa, and will include an awards gala dinner recognising initiatives in safer gambling. The programme spans policy, compliance, innovation, and public education, with sessions on illegal market impacts, regulatory development, and technology’s role in prevention and intervention. A SOFTSWISS representative will join the panel discussion ‘Innovation, Technology, and Responsible Gambling’, which explores emerging risks and mitigation strategies in digital environments.
“Industry partnership is essential to keep responsible gambling and player protection visible, effective, and evidence-based across channels. We greatly value the commitment and partnership of prominent international companies, such as SOFTSWISS, whose support brings expertise and resources to these important initiatives in South Africa,” said Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, Executive Director at the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation.
“South Africa is a priority market for SOFTSWISS, and we are proud to support this summit’s mission to advance safer play through collaboration and technology,” said Miranda Guliashvili, Head of Regional Growth at SOFTSWISS. “We continuously apply responsible gambling best practices in our products to help operators build sustainable, compliant growth.”
Building on this commitment, the SOFTSWISS Anti-Fraud team has delivered measurable results: from January to August 2025, it prevented over 15 million euro in fraudulent transactions, resolved more than 56,000 tasks, and processed 70 player complaints submitted to gaming regulators and forums. As fraud tactics evolve – including attempts to use AI-generated deepfakes during verification – SOFTSWISS is strengthening its tools and processes to help operators maintain a secure, transparent environment.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Deepens Safer Play as Platinum Partner of Responsible Gambling Summit 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
NLGRB Intensifies Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Gaming Operations

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The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board Uganda (NLGRB) intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal gaming operations, seizing over 80 unauthorised gaming machines in Mbarara and Ibanda cities under its operation name “Mashine Haramu.”
According to the NLGRB Operations Manager, Mr. Steven Tabaruka, more than 6000 illegal gaming machines have so far been impounded across Uganda as part of the ongoing enforcement operation.
The operation targets unregulated gaming operators, suppliers, and manufacturers that exploit unsuspecting Ugandans and undermine the integrity of the industry.
Mr. Tabaruka said that the Board’s goal is to protect Ugandans by eliminating illegal gaming activities and promoting responsible gaming. He encouraged individuals in the gaming business to reach out to the NLGRB offices in Mbarara or the head office in Kampala to regularise their operations.
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board continues to urge the public to report suspicious or illegal gaming activities as part of efforts to ensure a safe and regulated gaming environment for all.
The post NLGRB Intensifies Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Gaming Operations appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
Shacks Evolution Announce Strategic Partnership with Moja Group

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Shacks Evolution Studios, a leader in mobile-first gaming innovation, has announced a strategic partnership with Moja Group Inc., the parent company of Mojabet, one of Africa’s top online betting platforms.
This collaboration aims to redefine Africa’s iGaming experience through locally inspired, high-performance digital entertainment. As part of this partnership, Shacks Evolution Studios is launching two exclusive instant games: Mojawheel and Moja Citadel fully customised for Mojabet users.
These titles will be accompanied by a broader rollout of Shacks Evolution’s instant games portfolio, now accessible to audiences across multiple African markets.
“At Shacks Evolution Studios, we believe in creating games that resonate with the environment and culture of the people playing them. This partnership with Moja Group allows us to bring cutting-edge gameplay to millions while staying true to the realities of Africa’s digital landscape, including low network availability and diverse cultural tastes,” said Kwame Mensah, CEO of Shacks Evolution Studios.
“This collaboration is about more than just gaming, it’s about celebrating African creativity and delivering world-class entertainment with a local touch. By working closely with Shacks Evolution Studios, we are offering our Mojabet users something truly unique, games that feel like they were made just for them,” said Amina Diallo, Chief Marketing Officer at Moja Group Inc.
The post Shacks Evolution Announce Strategic Partnership with Moja Group appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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