Africa — Weekly Gaming News Round-up for May 26, 2017

By Brian Cullingworth, Last updated May 26, 2017

Betradar Virtual Football To Go Live In Nigeria

Other initiatives to follow

Nigeria-focused sports betting operator, Surebet 247, will take a portfolio of virtual gaming products from Betradar live in the market.

Betradar’s Virtual Football products will initially go live in over 4,000 Surebet247 retail stores.

Other new initiatives will follow the launch, the company’s said.

“Betradar has been able to deliver the product to suit the African market based on popular demand,” Sheriff Olaniyan, chief executive officer of Surebet247, said.  “Betradar has a proven track record of delivering the most compelling product range and the highest income levels and we at Surebet247 are very excited about being able to offer this world leading product to our customers”.

Neale Deeley, managing director Gaming at Betradar added: ”Nigeria remains a critical market for our suite of virtual gaming products and we were delighted Surebet247 wanted our latest version in their 4,000+ retail outlets. They have worked with our guys in a flexible and collaborative spirit to make sure that what is provided to their punters is a really engaging and bespoke product”.

Kenya PM’s Nix Prohibitive Gambling Tax Rate (Update)

Acknowledge it will discourage business

Kenyan members of parliament (MP) have rejected the prohibitive 50 percent tax rate on betting companies proposed by the National Assembly’s Finance Committee (see previous InfoPowa reports) last month.

“The rate is punitive enough to discourage such activities,” a committee report reads, which was apparently compiled from input received by stakeholders.  MP’s have recommended the rate be scrapped.

The Finance Bill is scheduled for the last stage in the Kenyan National Assembly today (Thursday).

Victor Chandler To Launch Bet Lion With FSB Tech

East African-focused sports betting and gaming venture

British businessman and bookmaker Victor Chandler has announced “He’s back! After a three-year hiatus” with the upcoming launch of an East African-focused sports betting and gaming brand, Bet Lion.

Chandler has partnered sportsbook and platform provider FSB Tech for the development and launch of the offer based on the company’s experience in the African market where it already has two brands operating on its platform in Tanzania and Kenya.

“The market is already showing huge growth and smartphone penetration is much higher than many realise and with that has come an excellence in micro-payments,” Chandler commented.

“It’s great to be working in a region that has so much potential, especially with somebody who has such a clear passion for and understanding of the betting and gaming business,” FSB Tech’s Business Development Director, Richard Thorp, added.

Bet Lion is scheduled for launch in August 2017.

Cheza Launches Sports Betting Operations In Kenya

In-play betting a feature of new operation

Online sports betting operator Cheza Gaming has launched in the Kenya market, featuring in-play betting through its ‘Hela 5’ offering.

In one example, the company notes that a player who successfully wagers that a goal will be scored within the next few minutes could win five times their bet.

“With two groups of potential players in the market today; players who play, but are underwhelmed by the current gaming experience and, second, people who want to play but find sports betting complicated, Hela 5 offers a solution to this with a simple, easy and fun approach to betting,” said Cheza Gaming CEO Barney Barrow.

Players will be able to register and make their predictions through three channels; online, SMS or USSD. Other hela brand games that the company plans to release into the market in the coming weeks include Vuvuhela, a sport betting solution and helasports, a sport content platform available online, on SMS and mobile app.

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