Sisal, however, did not win the lucrative contract without a fight, having gone up against several other candidates. After the gruelling tender process, La Marocaine des Jeux et des Sports (MDJS) finally settled on Sisal as the most deserving candidate. Should the company deliver an impressive performance, the license may be extended for two more years.

Exclusive Operator Contract Details

The partnership with MDJS gives Sisal full autonomy over sports betting in Morocco. The operator now controls online and retail betting in the region, with Sisal Jeux Maroc, the company’s local holding, responsible for all operations.

Speaking on behalf of the organization, Marco Caccavale expressed his elation at winning the bid, stating that MDJS recognized Sisal’s ability to get the job done. He added that the Moroccan gambling market is ripe with potential.

Sisal on a Roll

The Morocco contract is undoubtedly a significant win for Sisal, but really, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. The operator recently secured four similar international licenses. The most notable recent license was finalized in Tunisia. Sisal now handles the region’s sports betting, online gambling, and instant lotteries. The company has also secured licenses for Spain and Turkey, with Sisal International Group, SuperEnalotto, and MatchPoint all joining the Flutter family.

Some other international licenses Sisal secured are for Spain and Turkey. The expansion saw Sisal International Group, SuperEnalotto, and MatchPoint become part of Flutter.

Caccavale made an additional statement. He confirmed that the Morocco contract brings Sisal’s international license count to four. He added that being under the Flutter corporate umbrella has strengthened his company. In conclusion, he looks forward to exploring the lucrative African market and offering a premium betting experience to all.

The post Sisal Secures Exclusive Moroccan Betting License appeared first on gamblers.africa.

According to Amelco’s head of business development, Brandon Walker, LulaBet aims to be a premium South African online casino. He explained that he expects the product to significantly impact locals. He declared that LulaBet may even be a true industry game-changer.

Walker elaborated that Amelco operates with cutting-edge technology. He emphasized that the company also boasts 15 years of industry experience. He concluded that the tech and expertise will give South African gamblers a true next-level platform.

The Perfect Partnership

Managing director of LulaBet Ian Gutteridge shared some thoughts of his own. He explained that entering the South African market is all about bringing the best gaming technology available. He pointed out that Amelco offers precisely that; cutting-edge technology that is sure to impress.

He continued that Amelco and LulaBet are combining into a perfect partnership. Together the two will be providing locals with a trustworthy tier-one sportsbook platform. Gutteridge concluded that locals should prepare for an online gaming experience they’ve never seen before.

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During the pre-launch briefing, Betta1 manager Ray Phiri said the operator will focus on giving Zambians the opportunity to enjoy entertainment value, leisure, and money-making opportunities. Phiri also spoke about how unique the Betta1 platform is compared to other offerings. Betta1 will bring premium sports betting entertainment across various sports to local bettors. Markets will include tennis, football, ice hockey and Formula 1 racing. 

Local Games for Local People  

A variety of online games will also be on offer. These will include a live clubhouse section, various strategy-based titles, several slots, and unique games like Rocketman and Aviator. According to Phiri, Zambian online gambling enthusiasts are being treated to winning bonuses of up to a cool 600%. He said the operator’s approach is to bring only the best in entertainment and profits to Zambian players. 

The interface, he explained, was tailor-created with Zambian people in mind. This is precisely what makes Betta1 a home-grown product. Phiri went on to thank the Zambian government, the President of the country, Hichilema Hakainde, and the country’s Ministry of Finance for the excellent policies that have been put into place. These policies, he explained, create a stable economy for the country, and play a leading role in attracting local and foreign investors. 

Zambians will be able to place wagers from as low as K1 for an opportunity to win up to 600% of their bets. According to Chibambo, this is currently the highest payout in the country.

Congratulating all of Zambia

A second keynote speaker at the grand launch was Betta1 CEO Angad Chhabra. The chief executive started off by congratulating the operator’s team and the Zambian people for producing a premium new product. He said the country’s peaceful environment and sound economy make Zambia a premium destination for investments in Africa.

Zambian people, he said, can expect only the best in service delivery from the new operator. He said a secondary benefit is the creation of jobs for the Zambian youth. This group has historically been disenfranchised and excluded from leadership positions within the country’s economy. Chhabra added that every Zambian national of the legal gambling age (18) will be welcomed by the operator. 

The post Zambia Launches First Home-Grown Operator   appeared first on gamblers.africa.

The new partnership agreement will significantly benefit both parties and the goals they are pursuing. Pragmatic Play is expected to grow substantially in Africa with the new deal. The operator will access award-winning slots such as Wolf Gold, Big Bass Bonanza, and Gates of Olympus. 

Also included in the agreement is the implementation of Pragmatic Play’s successful live casino content. Classic games like Blackjack, Roulette and Poker will all be available for play at ChampionBet. However, Pragmatic Play keeps it modern with newer titles like Mega Wheel and Sweet Bonanza Candyland.

The Ultimate Casino Experience

ChampionBet strongly believes that Pragmatic Play will provide its customers with the best online casino experience on the market. According to Pavel Vanis, CEO of ChampionBet, by providing a reliable service, customers will return again and again.

ChampionBet has been growing exponentially over the past few years. The brand has opened hundreds of retail outlets in African countries like Ghana, Ethiopia, and Uganda. Moreover, the up-and-coming African gambling company is regulated and licensed by the Gaming Commission of Ghana. The company also hosts a fully responsive website with sports betting and slots.

Pragmatic Play Expresses Excitement

Yossi Barzely, the CEO of Pragmatic Play, also commented on the deal. He stated that ChampionBet’s expansion across Africa makes for a perfect meshing of brands. He added that the deal was the perfect vehicle for growth within the region for both companies.

Pragmatic Play will provide a robust package of content that will become indispensable to African operators. 

Newly Games Released and Coming Soon

The new partnership was concluded just in time for Pragmatic Play to release their latest slot, Cash Patrol, which is experiencing tremendous success globally. It is a cops-and-robbers-themed slot that places the player in a windy city where the police must catch the bad guys to win a max of 10,500x. 

In addition to more commercial deals with game developers, fans of Pragmatic Play can also expect the provider to launch its next big hit, Big Bass Splash, soon. The Big Bass fishing series has been wildly popular, and the latest instalment promises more of the same high volatility slots action. 

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The new sponsor, Stake.com, is a leading online sports betting and casino platform. However, it has been met with heavy opposition by many fans. Since Everton’s new uniform was released in early June, featuring the new sponsor’s logo, over 20,000 signatures have been collected in an online petition. They want Everton to drop the new sponsor, which they believe to be at odds with the standards and principles of the club.

A Need for Sponsorship

Everton has previously admitted that betting sponsors are not ideal for the club. Even so, commercial and financial constraints are an unfortunate priority.

After experiencing £372 million in losses over the last three seasons, many fans have accepted that Everton F.C. has little choice but to accept the partnership. The club has also given no sign so far of changing their decision.

Many fans remain adamant that they don’t want to see betting sponsorship on their team’s uniform, taking to social media and the internet and causing an unprecedented outcry. 

An Ongoing Issue

Dropping sponsors based on ethical grounds is not new in English football. Norwich City F.C. dropped its sponsor last season due to their overly sexualized marketing campaign. Preston North End F.C. likewise discontinued a partnership with their betting sponsor after a widespread outcry by fans.

Ben Melvin, a die-hard fan and season ticket holder, set up the online petition for Everton. He has had many years of experience with gambling addiction. Ben has stated that his main goal is to send a message to the club about promoting harmful products. Like the other 20,000 plus fans who have since signed his petition, he feels that the partnership does not sit well with the club’s motto and community work in combating addiction. Though he was not expecting the massive response to the petition, he is heartened by it and its attention.

Support for Both Sides

In a recent poll by YouGov, a leading global public opinion and data survey company, over 1.4 million people around Britain are negatively impacted by gambling, with another 1.5 million potentially at risk.

The Premiere League, EFL, and UK’s Betting and Gaming Council share the same sentiments. These include the lack of valid evidence to connect betting sponsorship with gambling addiction issues.

Next month, however, the UK government will meet to decide whether to allow betting sponsorship in football. The outcome of this meeting may ultimately also determine the future of Everton’s new sponsorship deal.

The post Everton Fans Oppose New Casino Sponsor appeared first on gamblers.africa.

Court filings from the proceedings show that MozzartBet sent money to Kimaco Connections using a pay bill with the number 290056. The numbers were astronomical. The highest amount in a single day amounted to Sh50 million, and the lowest was Sh1.8 million. The ARA holds that the total amount sent over 5 days amounted to around Sh256 million. These amounts flagged the funds as suspicious and alerted the relevant authorities. 

Hiding their Trail 

To cover any tracks, MozzartBet moved the funds into Cooperative Bank. The firm has defended the transactions stating that the money was being used to pay an IT company to supply software. But the ARA pointed out that Kimaco Connections was simply a shell company. 

The judge was baffled as to why a sports betting company would look to a third party to procure software from a sister company unless there was some sort of ulterior motives, such as money laundering. 

The claim made by MozzartBet was that the money was being used to procure software from Kimaco Connections. Kimaco states that it subcontracted another company, Open Skies Connections, to implement and set up the required IT platform. 

The State Fights Back

The state, however, disagreed. They said that Peter Kiilu, the owner of Kimaco Connections, could not provide any evidence of contracts between MozzartBet and Open Skies Connections. The money referred to was also spread out between multiple different bank accounts. Sh251 million was in Diamond Trust Bank, Sh50 million in Cooperative Bank, and Sh2.4 million at NBCA Bank.

MozzartBet went on to argue that the money was simply contributions from their shareholders for the contracting of Kimaco to implement IT software. The software has never been provided. And after the ARA froze the funds, it never could’ve been. The judges were worried some of the funds might have ended up in the pockets of MozzartBet directors had it not been frozen. However, the online betting firm had no reply.

The judge went further to state that the letter issued from the DCI, which allegedly clears the names of all firms involved, was a forgery. The ARA investigations prove that Kiilu moved around Sh150 million to a fixed deposit account. Leaving a running balance of Sh101 million.

A Money Laundering Scheme

The months between February and June were most instructive of what resembles a money-laundering scheme. During this time, the company received around Sh384 million from the betting company. This amount was logged at Cooperative bank. Sh50 million was placed into a fixed deposit account with a running balance of Sh269.7 million. The court documents also show that the money was later distributed to high-ranking members of the betting company. The major shareholders of MozzartBet Kenya are Shirma, with zero shares; Mid Logistics, with 300 shares; and MozzartBet Africa, registered in Mauritius, with 700 shares. 

The agency stated that mobile money transactions were made to transfer from MozzartBet and Kimaco Connections. This was adopted only to get around the Central Bank of Kenya’s reporting threshold when account holders declare the source of funds. 

The post MozzartBet Ordered to Pay sh300 Million appeared first on gamblers.africa.

To add to his long run of success and prestige, Kanu has joined Sportsbet.io, a leading crypto-based sports betting site. Kanu is the latest global ambassador in their extensive marketing campaign.

Supporting the Kanu Heart Foundation with Crypto

In a recent statement, Kanu expressed how pleased he is to have the opportunity to join Sportsbet. He also stated that he is a believer in what many are calling “the crypto revolution”.

Crypto and blockchain transactions are swiftly becoming the preferred method of online payment worldwide. This is particularly true when it comes to online casinos and sports betting. Kanu believes that it can be used as a force for good, and has set up his charity, the Kanu Heart Foundation, to accept Bitcoin donations. Kanu also aims for his foundation to be a major beneficiary of his new partnership with Sportsbet, which is largely crypto-based.

Kanu has signed a four-year deal with Sportsbet. He has agreed to take part in a variety of promotions for the sports betting company. 

Albert Climent of Sportsbet has also expressed how pleased and honored, he and his company are to have the legendary footballer on board. Kanu is the latest to join Sportsbet’s team of global superstar ambassadors, which include Tekno Miles, Cassper Nyovest, and King Kaka.

In May, Kanu and Sportsbet hosted a special “Ahead of the Game” event in Lagos, Nigeria. Over 400 people attended to watch Arsenal take on Manchester United in a live screening of the Premier League. At the event, Bitcoin prizes were given away, while a 250 million Bitcoin donation was made to the Kanu Heart Foundation.

More About Sportsbet.io

Sportsbet is a popular and successful online betting company. It was founded in 2016 as part of the Yolo Group and is currently owned by the Australian-based company, Flutter Entertainment. Over the years, Sportsbet has been a leading innovator in the online betting platform and market. Their goal is to combine the latest cutting-edge technology with their in-depth gambling expertise. All while providing a fun, fast and reliable service to customers. 

As their success has grown, they have become the key sponsor for English Premier League club Southampton and the official betting partner of Arsenal FC. 

Sportsbet currently provides betting options across all major sports and sporting events, including eSports. Its impressive offering includes over 350,000 pre-match events per year and a wider variety of in-play betting options. 

Sportsbet.io is particularly proud of its reputation for providing one of the most secure, trustworthy betting services in the online industry. With a rate of 1.5 withdrawals a minute, they have become ever-more invested in the unprecedented security and efficiency of crypto. 

The post Nkwankwo Kanu Becomes Sportsbet Ambassador appeared first on gamblers.africa.

The motion was originally moved by Isiaka Ibrahim (APC, Ogun.) Ibrahim pointed out that the gaming market is growing rapidly, predicted to reach $565 million by the end of 2022. He insisted that the industry growth should not come at the cost of Nigeria’s youth. He added that NIN requirements should be introduced as a way to ensure accountability.

A Need for Age Verification

Ibrahim continued that all gambling is subject to age verification in Nigeria. He pointed out that casinos and online gaming are not different, and that both must do due diligence. He added that online data security is a top priority, but reiterated that NIN collection is essential. If passed the motion requires operators to collect NINs from bettors. No operator will be allowed to accept money otherwise.

Ibrahim continued that betting cannot be anonymous. He concluded that both money laundering and underage gambling must be tackled simultaneously. It has been noted that online gambling is the potential for criminal activity. Money laundering in particular is a potential problem with rapid online transactions. NIN requirements would do much to stem online laundering possibilities.

Motion Referred

Although the motion looks likely to pass it will first be referred to the House Committee on Governmental Affairs. This is not the first time that a gaming motion has gone to the Committee. However, the last motion was slammed by Akin Alabi (APC, Oyo.) It just so happens that Alabi is the founder of Nairabet, one of the more popular online sports betting sites in Nigeria.

The last motion involved the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) looking to tax bettors. The tax would have applied even if a bet didn’t win. Alabi took the opportunity to verbally denounce the motion on Twitter. His argument was that bettors don’t want to be subjected to tax if they are not winning.

Many have criticized that Alabi is in charge of regulating the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, even still he is now tasked with overseeing the new motion regarding NIN. It remains to be seen if he will take to Twitter to express his opinion.

The post Nigerian Bettors Will Soon Require NIN to Bet appeared first on gamblers.africa.

Unfortunately, Bet9ja is not the first online sportsbook to deal with an online attack. There has been an increased number of similar reports across the online betting landscape.

Taking the Matter Seriously

The Bet9ja spokesperson confirmed that the matter is being taken very seriously. Mention was also made of the dangers of false information. In that regard, the spokesperson insisted that only officially released statements be believed. It was also confirmed that the site will be back online soon. Customers that log in after reopening are to be treated to a sensational bonanza of promotions.

The spokesperson concluded that much is being learned from the attack and that security will be bolstered.

It seems that Bet9ja will be more prepared for cyberattacks in the future. Customers will also be thankful that their accounts are being kept safe during attacks. Hopes now are that other online bookmakers are as swift to respond to attacks from hackers.

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The new steep tax hike is partly aimed at raising around Sh50.4 billion in taxes to help fund a massive Sh3.32 trillion national budget. The government, however, also hopes it will help curb what it feels is too quickly becoming a national pastime in Kenya.

Government Maintains its Stance

Vocal critics of Kenya’s growing betting industry such as Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani, who proposed the new tax in 2019, have many concerns about the growing trend in betting in Kenya. Like many, Yatani is particularly concerned about the youth and the repercussions of irresponsible gambling. 

In recent years, taxes on the betting industry in Kenya have steadily increased as government regulation has struggled to keep up with its rapid growth. The hike will come at a time when taxes on commercial online gambling are already high, as these activities are easy targets for so-called “sin taxes”.

Though the impending tax law was first instated in 2019, betting operators in Kenya were successfully able to lobby for its removal a year later. Since then, the tax has been at a far lower 7.5 percent of every Sh1,000 wagered. Now, the Kenyan Treasury is seeking to reinstate the tax law. If successful, they aim to have the 20 percent tax reinstated well ahead of the coming elections in August 2022.

Their concerns over the youth are not unfounded. The rapidly increasing popularity of betting in Kenya has caused a corresponding rise in irresponsible gambling. The resulting loss and moneylending have led to a higher rate of debt, and also suicide, over time. 

M-Pesa, the largest operator in Kenya, reportedly made around Sh83.2 billion in the six months leading up to September 2021. This represented a 69 percent increase from the prior year. Other betting firms have also shown a swift and steady growth at around 35 percent, despite the efforts of the government.

Reliance on Sin Taxes

“Sin taxes” have steadily become a favorite generator of revenue for the Kenyan government. Their target is not only betting, but also alcohol, cigarettes, and food and drinks that contain sugar. In the new amendments to the Finance Bill of 2022, Yatani aims to raise all sin taxes to create greater revenue for the government. 

High taxes on betting have thus far had some small level of success with the growing issues surrounding betting in Kenya. Otherwise, the government has banned betting companies from advertising on television or radio. Many support centers and helplines are being established by both government and betting firms. There are also various initiatives being started to educate and warn the public and youth about the pitfalls of irresponsible betting.

The post New Laws Set to Raise Kenya’s Betting Taxes appeared first on gamblers.africa.