Latest News

Football legend Michael Owens joins SunBet as a Brand Ambassador

Published

3 years ago

June 9, 2023

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 13^thbirthday 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.

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eSports

Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028

Published

7 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-names-faker-game-ambassador-for-ewc-and-enc-through-2028

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.

EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.

“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”

Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”

EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.

The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

14 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

14 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.