GAMING FOR AFRICA Gaming for Africa
Casino International’s Africa partner is the excellent Gaming For Africa magazine, bringing you the continent’s latest developments.
Betsafe Joins Kenya Exodus Amid Increasing Taxes
Betting firm Betsafe has exited the Kenyan market due to escalating taxation pressures, which continue to drive companies out of the multibillion-shilling industry. Betsafe CEO Victor Sudi confirmed the shutdown of Kenya operations effective May 14, resulting in job losses for its employees.
Betsafe is the latest company to leave the Kenyan market, citing excessive taxation. Other firms, including Betin, have also folded under similar conditions. Betting firms in Kenya face a 15-percent tax on gross gaming revenue, a 30-percent corporate tax on profits, and a 16-percent income tax, alongside annual licensing and compliance fees. Additionally, a proposal was tabled in Parliament last year to impose a 13-percent gaming levy on gross revenues. “It’s true that Betsafe Kenya will cease its operations in the country effective May 14, 2024,” Mr. Sudi has been reported as telling a local jorunalist in a phone interview. Betsafe launched in Kenya in December 2020 through Bet High Kenya, the Kenyan subsidiary of Betsson.
Sudi did not disclose the number of employees affected but assured that punters with outstanding balances would be refunded within seven days.
Since 2019, the government has increased taxation on betting firms to curb the rising popularity of betting among the youth and
Ithuba Wins
Tanzania National Lottery Tender
Ithuba, the South African company that operates South Africa’s National Lottery has been awarded the licence to operate Tanzania’s Lottery. This, following Ithuba’s award for the Uganda National Lottery. In a statement, Ithuba said it was a black woman- owned business and was proud of the partnership with the Tanzanian government.
The company said that this was a major milestone in its advancement strategy to expand its footprint in Africa. It further demonstrated the company’s robust growth across the continent.
the unemployed. This crackdown led to the exits of Betin and SportPesa (then registered under Pevans East Africa) five years ago amid disputes over unpaid taxes. SportPesa has since returned to the market after its trading name was acquired by Milestone Games Limited. Besides targeting betting firms, the government has also imposed taxes on gamblers, taking 12.5-percent of betting stakes and a 20-percent withholding tax on winnings. The country’s Finance Bill, 2024, proposes raising the tax on betting stakes to 20-percent as the government seeks tighter control over the industry.
“Today marks a historical milestone for us. Ithuba’s solutions, from our games to our technology, have been specifically developed for the African market. We are both proud and honoured to have been chosen as the National Lottery Operator in Tanzania. This expansion is a testament to our deep commitment to the continent and our capability to offer large jackpots and innovative games that resonate deeply with our players,” Charmaine Mabuza, CEO of Ithuba said. The company said that it is Africa’s leading lottery operator and prides itself on its approach to national lottery games.
Ithuba made it clear that they see the Tanzanian partnership as a clear indication of the company’s expertise in the lottery industry.
“We are excited to bring our signature approach to Tanzania, where we anticipate not only transforming the lottery experience, but also significantly contributing to community development and economic growth,” Mabuza added.
BGaming Debuts In Africa With Premier Bet
Popular iGaming content provider BGaming has signed a multi-brand content deal with African licenced operator Premier Bet, marking another major market entry.
Through this new collaboration, BGaming has delivered a selection of its games to Premier Bet’s platform. Titles such as Fruit Million, Wild Cash X9990, Bonanza Billion, Aztec Clusters and Merge Up are all available to the operator’s registered players across several African markets.
Premier Bet dates back to 1997 and currently operates in 17 countries on the continent. It is one of Africa’s biggest betting companies, offering gaming and business opportunities to people across the west, east, centre and south
28 JUNE 2024 of the continent.
Africa has always been an epicentre for innovation and resilience, and one industry exemplifying its dynamism in recent years is gambling. This latest market expansion demonstrates BGaming’s exponential global growth and lays the foundations for further
success in the thriving region. Olga Levshina, CCO at BGaming, said: “BGaming continues to penetrate international iGaming markets, with its fresh approach to online casino proving a hit with a wide demographic of players. With this partnership, we have added some of our most appealing titles to Premier Bet’s games line-up as it seeks to expand its player base.”
Karen Hope, Director of Casino at Premier Bet, added: “We are pleased to partner with BGaming to drive this next phase of Premier Bet’s development across several key African markets. The studio’s vibrant games add variety to our casino games collection.”
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