Africa

The BBC News African focused business program ‘Africa Business Report’, featured a special insight broadcast by BBC Sierra Leone correspondent Umaru Fofana on the rising popularity of sports betting in Sierra Leone (West Africa). The program reports that the Sierra Leone capital of Freetown has witnessed a surge in the number of small telecom/text  operated betting devices, were Sierra Leonese …

The founding eight members of the Asian-African Tote Association (AATA) were announced in the opening association meeting held yesterday in South Africa. The new association aims to create strengthening ties among African betting operators and totes, and to further increase African racings and totes profile throughout the global gambling sector. The eight members of the AATA include Hong Kong Jockey …

Marc Etches, Chief Executive of the Responsible Gambling Trust, the UK’s leading charity aimed at minimising gaming related harm, discusses the range of services open to problem gamblers and how the industry can ensure that the enjoyment of the majority does not overtake the wellbeing of the minority. World Cup challenge Next month’s football World Cup in Brazil is being …

Scotland’s international friendly against Nigeria was subject to investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA), having been red flagged for potential match-fixing. The national and international law enforcement agency tipped off the Scottish Football Association prior to Wednesday’s kick-off at Fulham’s Craven Cottage. The match itself finished in a 2-2 draw, Nigeria scoring a late equaliser through Nwofor, after an …

Vermantia, an innovative and fast growing gaming content provider, has launched 360Virtual, a groundbreaking end-to-end Virtual Games service. 360Virtual is a full Virtual product portfolio built on industry-leading, plug-and-play technology. Vermantia is launching five new premium virtual games including Cycling, Motor-Racing, Table Tennis, Badminton and Archery, enhancing its robust portfolio of 10 games, offered with the widest range of betting …

South African government officials published the countries first online gambling bill  draft. Initial reactions to the proposed bill have been positive, as tax levy’s on igaming verticals may be kept to as low as 6% of gross gaming revenues.  The draft bill  is currently being studied by government stakeholders, and is likely to be amended. The draft bill sets to …

Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Ltd South Africa’s biggest racetrack owners, have been taken to court over unfair increases in racetrack fees operations and track broadcasting. South African news sources report that 37 regional bookmakers, mostly operating from the Gauteng province, have filed against the Johannesburg racetrack operator. Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Ltd increased the price to purchase live broadcasts of …

A team of 21 volunteers, the majority from bookmaking companies, will trek the Sahara Desert this week to raise funds for the UK’s leading problem gambling treatment charity. The team will be walking for 5 days from the “Door of the Desert” at Achbarou to Anoun El Fraolia, crossing 100 kilometres of dunes and open desert. The volunteers aim to …

Phil Gibbs, Head of Marketing at land-based and online gaming operator Praesepe, has been stocking-up with plentiful supplies of factor 50 sun protection as he prepares to walk 100 km across the world’s hottest desert. Gibbs, whose trek across the Sahara, has already raised close to £3,000 for The Responsible Gambling Trust with sponsorship pledges still coming in, is one …