Africa
Liberian President George Weah announced as Ambassador for Pan-African Inter-School Championship
President Weah is the only African to have won the FIFA World Player of the Year award
A joint CAF and FIFA delegation travelled to Liberia to hold meetings today with the Liberian Football Association and government officials in Monrovia. Partnerships with the public and private sectors, increased opportunities for youth through football and the appointment of Liberian President George Weah as the first Ambassador of the Pan-African Inter-School Championship were among the topics discussed.
Upon arrival last night at Monrovia Roberts Airport, the delegation were greeted by Liberia Football Association (LFA) President Mustapha Raji, members of the LFA Executive Committee (EXCO) and Minister of Youth and Sports, the Honorable D. Zeogar Wilson. In Monrovia city, Mayor Jefferson T. Koijee welcomed the delegations to the capital and presented the FIFA President with a key to the city in a gesture of friendship.
This morning, the delegation attended a meeting with the LFA EXCO, listening to the challenges it is facing with football infrastructure. CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe underlined to members present that Liberia had huge potential, which could be harnessed by providing more opportunities for youth through football. He also stressed that working together for the good of African football is the best way to ensure progress for the game and the continent. FIFA President Gianni Infantino reinforced this message, referencing the iconic George Weah – now President of Liberia – as a great example of the positive impact football can have on a country.
An official meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sports followed. CAF President Dr Motsepe said: “We hear your concerns and would like to assure you of CAF’s commitment to work with Liberian football and government authorities to improve football infrastructure here.”
The delegation, together with the Minister of Youth and Sports, then visited the Samuel K Doe Football Complex, which has been fitted with a new turf pitch through funding from the FIFA Forward (https://fifa.fans/2R1hqAN) programme. Speaking at the complex, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “FIFA believes that every country should have access to the best quality pitches and football facilities, and we will work with CAF to bring about more improvements to Liberia.”
An audience with Liberian President, His Excellency George Weah, followed. Strengthening African and Liberian football was central to discussions, with Gianni Infantino stating: “We are happy to be in a country so passionate about football. We are here to give you CAF and FIFA’s full support to take football into a new era and we will work with you to do this.”
Talks also covered the power of football on economies. “Football and economic development go hand in hand, so let’s try through football to invest in job creation,” said CAF President Dr Motsepe. “It’s also our duty to make sure stadia meet the required standards, and CAF will work with the Liberian authorities to do so.”
The conclusion of the meeting saw the CAF and FIFA Presidents present President Weah – the only African to have won the FIFA World Player of the Year award – with a certificate announcing him as the first Ambassador of the Pan-African Inter-School Football Championship.
Gianni Infantino said: “President Weah is an icon of football and now a respected statesman. FIFA and CAF are delighted to have his support. His stellar football career is an inspiration to young Africans and we welcome him on board this initiative, supported by the African Union, which will see football competitions at national level in schools throughout Africa. Football offers us a unique opportunity to connect with young people and empower them through this programme.”
The joint delegation then visited the construction site at the headquarters of the LFA to discuss the developments that have taken place in expanding women’s football in the country, before attending a women’s youth football match at Antoinette Tubman Stadium.
Before kick-off, LFA President Mustapha Raji thanked both the CAF and FIFA Presidents for visiting his country and for believing in the power of football to give hope, education and joy to children in Liberia. This was followed by addresses from the Minister of Education and Youth and Sports respectively.
CAF President Dr Motsepe’s took to the stage for a short address, concluding: “We must be proud of and thankful to the LFA President for his excellent work. Football has a bright future here. The girl who is going to be the African winner of The Best FIFA Women’s Player Award (https://fifa.fans/3nZyxze) could be here today!”
This is the second contract extension between Kambi and Sunbet.co.za since the partnership was first established in 2017
Kambi, the world’s trusted sports betting partner, has announced a long-term extension to its multi-channel sportsbook partnership with Sun International, a leading African gaming and hospitality company and operator of South African betting brand Sunbet.co.za.
The latest agreement builds upon the successful collaboration in 2017 when the partnership was first established. The extension will see Kambi’s market-leading sports betting technology and services continue to power Sun International’s online sports operations. This will ensure continued support for the operator’s ongoing growth and expansion plans.
Through the extended partnership, Kambi will continue to provide Sun International with its comprehensive suite of cutting-edge sports betting technology and services, including its award-winning sportsbook platform, sophisticated pricing and trading capabilities, and its award-winning Bet Builder product. This will further empower Sun International’s Sunbet.co.za brand to maintain its position at the forefront of the South African online sports betting market.
Veena Dhesi, Kambi’s SVP Partner Success, said: “We are pleased to further extend our successful partnership with Sun International who have established themselves as one of the leaders in the African gaming industry. Since 2017, we have been proud to play a part in supporting their continued success and this long-term commitment is a testament to both the strength of our product and the level of service we can provide to our valued partners.”
Simon Gregory, Sunbet CEO, added: “Sunbet is delighted to continue our journey with Kambi. Their best-in-class sportsbook technology has been instrumental in our growth as one of South Africa’s leading online sportsbooks. This extended partnership will provide us with the technology and support we need to keep innovating while offering our customers a leading betting experience.”
The post Kambi Group plc agrees long-term sportsbook partnership extension with Sun International appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
SOFTSWISS, a leading software supplier for the iGaming industry, announces its successful South African certification. The company has secured a Letter of Certification (LoC) from the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) for its Casino Platform and Sportsbook, now certified under the South African B2B manufacture licence.
This licence was initially obtained by Turfsport, a seasoned South African software supplier with 35 years of industry experience. Earlier this year, SOFTSWISS strategically acquired a major stake in Turfsport, aligning their product portfolios. With this certification, SOFTSWISS expands its offerings in the burgeoning South African market.
Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Operating Officer at SOFTSWISS, comments: “South Africa will be one of the key markets for SOFTSWISS in the coming years. It has immense potential, driven by increasing internet penetration, lower mobile internet costs, and affordable mobile devices. Additionally, the local audience shows a strong interest in gambling, which further supports our decision to expand here.”
According to the InfoQuest survey, sports betting is the most common form of gambling in South Africa, with people placing bets on sports about 12 times a month on average. Casino gambling and horse betting are most popular on weekends, while lottery and online betting happen throughout the week because they are easily accessible online. The survey also reveals that the average gambler engages in three different types of gambling multiple times a month, underscoring the significant role of gambling in South African society.
The recently published SOFTSWISS South African market review highlights a growing interest in esports and fantasy sports, particularly among younger, tech-savvy demographics. Statista reports that 51% of South African survey participants are interested in esports betting, while the National Gambling Board (NGB) notes that 39% are inclined towards fantasy sports betting, especially in popular sports like soccer, cricket, and rugby. These trends align with global patterns and suggest a promising future for these sectors in the region.
The comprehensive SOFTSWISS South African market review is available for free and offers valuable insights into these emerging trends.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international tech company supplying software solutions for managing iGaming projects. The expert team, which counts over 2,000 employees, is based in Malta, Poland and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform, and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.
The post SOFTSWISS Expands in South Africa with New Certifications appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Golden Matrix Group, a leading developer and licensor of online gaming platforms, systems, and gaming content, has announced that its subsidiary, Meridianbet, has been granted a sports-betting license in South Africa.
The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board issued Meridianbet a Bookmaker License, a Bookmaker Premises License and a Manufacturer License.
These licenses will enable Meridianbet to operate online sports betting across South Africa, showcasing the company’s regulatory compliance and fit-and-proper status within South Africa’s stringent licensing regime. The Manufacturer License also permits Meridianbet to license its proprietary sports betting software within the Western Cape region.
Expansion into South Africa
“We are thrilled to enter the South African market, and this new license presents a significant opportunity for us to continue to scale our operations,” said Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet. “Expanding our reach into South Africa will provide new opportunities to grow our user base in an entirely new jurisdiction, underscoring our ongoing commitment to growing our industry-leading brands around the world.”
A Growing Market
The South African digital gambling market has exhibited significant recent growth, with total revenue projected to reach $828.50 million by the end of 2024, according to Statista. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.77% from 2024 to 2029, resulting in a projected market volume of $1.1 billion.
Market Impact and Economic Contribution
This market expansion supports Meridianbet’s consistent operational growth and dedication to innovation within the global iGaming sector. The South African market is positioned as a significant player in the global landscape, with the sports-betting sector contributing significantly to the country’s economy, accounting for 50% of gross gambling revenue. In the 2023 fiscal year, gross gambling revenue (GGR) in South Africa totaled $2.42 billion, according to Moneyweb.
The post Meridianbet (Golden Matrix Group) Granted South African Sports-Betting License appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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