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World Sports Bodies raise Concern Over Kenya Copyright Bill

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Kenya’s 2019 Copyright Amendment Bill, incorporates principles from the WIPO Internet Treaties of 1996, aimed at preventing unauthorised access to and use of creative works

A coalition of global sports bodies has written an open letter to the Kenyan government, expressing concern about the Copyright Amendment Bill currently before parliament, and its potential impact on the availability of international sports content in Kenya.

The Sports Rights Owner Coalition (SROC) is an alliance of more than 50 international and national sport bodies, representing some of the world’s leading sport codes and competitions – including the English Premier League, the FA Cup, Wimbledon, MotoGP, and the Rugby World Cup.

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In the recent letter, signed by Chairman Mark Lichtenstein, the SROC says its members are “extremely concerned” at changes that will be made to Kenya’s Copyright Act if the Copyright Amendment Bill becomes law.

The SROC is particularly worried about proposals to repeal sections 35B, 35C and 35D of the Copyright Act, which allow for take-down notices issued to internet-based service provider platforms which enable content piracy to flourish.

A take-down notice is a widely used remedy employed by copyright owners worldwide, compelling online platforms to rapidly remove content from their websites if it is suspected that the content infringes copyright.

The Kenya Copyright Board (KeCOBO) champion of the Partners Against Piracy (PAP) initiative, has come out in support of the SROC letter.

“Take-down notices are a critical tool for copyright holders and related rights holders to fight digital content piracy by controlling the distribution and economic viability of their work and how it is accessed online,” says Edward Sigei, KeCOBO Executive Director.

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“Across the world, they help to safeguard the intellectual property rights of sports rights owners. If rights owners cannot request that pirated sports content is taken down immediately, that will threaten the future of live sports broadcasts in Kenya. Why would international sports media allow sports broadcasts in Kenya, if they have no way of stopping them from being pirated!”

Kenya’s 2019 Copyright Amendment Bill, incorporates principles from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Internet Treaties of 1996, aimed at preventing unauthorised access to and use of creative works. Takedown notices are among these principles and are necessary tools to enforce copyright protections for rights owners and distributors.

If the Amendment Bill is passed into law, Kenya will be out of step with global trends, the average Kenyan will lose out on great sports entertainment. A further negative consequence of this Amendment Bill passing would be the reputational and economic investment quagmire it would create is jeopardising Kenya’s ability to renew participation in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Agreement (AGOA) program, as one of the additional provisions of renewal requires a demonstrated commitment to copyright protection as a prerequisite to signing. Repealing section 35 of the Copyright Act, would do the exact opposite and threaten investor confidence.

The SROC points out that in Europe, policy makers are strengthening not weakening the effectiveness of take-down notices, particularly regarding live content. New proposals to protect live content more effectively in Europe are expected in the first half of 2022.

“Were the Copyright Amendment Bill to be enacted, it could have devastating consequences for both the Kenyan economy and Kenyan consumers,” says the SROC letter. “Rights holders from sport and other creative industries are extremely unlikely to license their content in a jurisdiction that effectively legitimises piracy. Consumers would therefore be deprived from watching their favourite sports and television shows, and leave Kenya isolated on the global copyright stage.”

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The coalition – which includes the English FA, UEFA, the IAAF, and the International Tennis Federation – goes on to ask that the proposed new law be urgently reconsidered “so as not to harm Kenyan consumers and threaten the availability of sports and entertainment content in Kenya.”

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Africa

Altenar obtains National Manufacturer licence in South Africa

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Leading sportsbook provider prepares to debut in African market after rigorous certification process

Altenar, a leading sportsbook and iGaming software provider, has successfully obtained a licence from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB), marking a significant milestone in its expansion into the burgeoning South African market.

Altenar is now a registered and licenced National Manufacturer in the thriving jurisdiction, following a rigorous process. During the initial stages, several stakeholders were required to complete detailed KYC and compliance checks, as well as fill in significant paperwork to demonstrate the provider’s suitability.

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This latest market debut demonstrates Altenar’s position as a sought-after partner with a flexible and localised solution. The opportunity opens up the doors to further expansion on the African continent and demonstrates its appeal to operators across multiple continents.

Sam Hill, Sales Director at Altenar, said: “Altenar is delighted to receive our licence to supply our sportsbook solution into South Africa. It is another significant step for us globally and is a key target market for us to further establish our product. We’re confident we have all the necessary product features and quality to offer the best solution on the market. This is across core sports such as football and racing, as well as offering customers the ease to prioritise key local content and sports via our highly flexible UI/UX.

“There are also a variety of ways that we support seamless cross-sell between products, which in a market such as South Africa, with the popularity of all verticals, will stand us and our customers in good stead. We are looking forward to the future in South Africa and the wider African market.”

The post Altenar obtains National Manufacturer licence in South Africa appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BMM Testlabs Promotes Obed Mathabe to Vice President ─ Operations, Africa

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BMM Testlabs (“BMM” or “the Company”), the world’s original gaming test lab renowned for exceptional product compliance services, today announced the promotion of Obed Mathabe to Vice President ─ Operations, Africa. This promotion recognizes Mathabe’s outstanding contributions and leadership in the gaming industry, as well as his proven ability to drive operational excellence across the African region.

In his new role, Mathabe will oversee all operations within the African market, continuing to lead strategic initiatives and enhance BMM Testlabs’ service offerings. His extensive experience in operational management, business development, and regulatory compliance positions him as an ideal leader for the Company’s growth in Africa.

Kirk White, President, Land-Based Gaming & Inspections at BMM Testlabs, said, “Obed has been instrumental in driving BMM Testlabs’ success in Africa, and we are confident that his leadership in this new role will continue to propel the company forward. His blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and leadership experience makes him an asset for BMM as we continue to grow and expand our presence across the continent.”

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Mathabe has a long history with BMM Testlabs, having most recently served as Operations Manager at BMM Testlabs South Africa. In this capacity, he successfully planned and directed operational activities to meet the Company’s business objectives in technical services, local management information systems (MIS), and project office administration. His ability to balance strategic planning with day-to-day leadership has been a key factor in his success.

“I am thrilled to take on this new role at BMM Testlabs and further contribute to the success of BMM,” Mathabe said. “Having worked closely with our teams across Africa, I’m committed to expanding our footprint, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring we continue to deliver world-class services to our clients.”

Additionally, Mathabe has held key roles within BMM Testlabs, including Business Development Manager, where he collaborated with senior leadership to create and implement market access and sales strategies for the African region. He also served as Technical Compliance Manager, providing expert technical compliance consultancy services while working closely with regulators and clients to expand BMM’s services.

In other career roles, Mathabe was the Founder and Director of Gaming Sight (Pty) Ltd., where he played a pivotal role in growing the company and establishing it as a leader in the African gaming market.

He also held influential roles at Tsogosun and Royal Caribbean International, where he managed technical departments, ensured regulatory compliance, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

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Mathabe’s promotion comes as part of BMM Testlabs’ ongoing commitment to strengthening its leadership team and enhancing its operational capabilities in key markets. With his vast experience, Mathabe will help guide BMM Testlabs toward maintaining its position as a global leader in online and land-based compliance testing, inspections, training, and support for regulators and operators.

The post BMM Testlabs Promotes Obed Mathabe to Vice President ─ Operations, Africa appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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SYNOT Games Expands to the Nigerian Market Through a Strategic Partnership with betBonanza

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SYNOT Games, a leading global casino game developer, has announced its expansion into the Nigerian iGaming market through a new partnership with betBonanza.

As a result of this collaboration, betBonanza players will have access to SYNOT Games‘ acclaimed portfolio of over 150 unique and engaging titles. The initial launch will feature ten highly popular games, including Aztec Jaguar Megaways, All Ways Queen, Forest Maiden, and Rio Mystery Night. The operator will continue to expand its offering, adding five new games each week until the full portfolio becomes available.

By joining forces, SYNOT Games and betBonanza aim to meet the growing demand for premium gaming content in Nigeria’s thriving market, setting a new standard for entertainment and innovation.

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Unity Nwanze, Business Operations Manager at betBonanza, said: “We are excited to expand our Casino game portfolio with the addition of SYNOT Games! It’s a great opportunity to present our players with fun games and thrilling ways to win. We look forward to a rewarding partnership.”

Kristína Ďaďová, Sales Manager at SYNOT Games, added: “Our goal is to provide the highest level of entertainment and by partnering with betBonanza, we will be able to offer top-quality games to a whole new audience. I believe this cooperation will strengthen our position in a market as demanding as Nigeria.”

The post SYNOT Games Expands to the Nigerian Market Through a Strategic Partnership with betBonanza appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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