888 Holdings has launched 888bet in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia with local licences through the joint venture 888AFRICA.

Founded in March 2022, 888AFRICA licences 888’s world-class betting and gaming brands with an ambitious strategy to expand across Africa’s regulated online betting and gaming markets. It is managed by a team of highly respected industry leaders, led by Christopher Coyne, former CEO of GOAT Interactive and former CMO of The Stars Group.

“We are delighted to hit our target and launch into four regulated markets within 6 months of founding the business. This is an important milestone that provides us with fantastic opportunities for further expansion in the future. We have enormous ambitions and believe the strength, history and trust of the 888 brand gives us a real competitive advantage as we look to build market-leading positions across Africa. We look forward to introducing 888bet and its unique offer to new players across the region in the months ahead,” Christopher Coyne, CEO of 888AFRICA, said.

“It is great to see Christopher and his team successfully launch 888bet in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia and begin 888AFRICA’s growth story on the continent. As a region with significant potential, we are excited to watch 888AFRICA continue to develop its offer and launch new and exciting products for players over the coming years and months, while introducing consumers to the fantastic 888 brand,” Itai Pazner, CEO of 888 Holdings, said.

Selecting esports titles is always an emotive issue.

All esports athletes have strong likes and dislikes, gamers always want their favourite esports titles to be given preferential treatment.

In order to make the process more objective and reduce the influence of any one member club and/or individual, Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) has a policy in place in order to ensure that there is a due process as well as a fair system in place in order to ensure that the correct titles are selected.

However, it should be noted that MSSA currently only selects 10 titles to be played at Provincial and National Championships.

Priority is given to the esports titles that are played at IESF’s World Championships and Global Esports Federation’s Global Esports Games (GEG) in order to assist MSSA deliver a national team.

Even though only 10 titles are so selected, that does not mean that the other titles cannot be held at MSSA events.

However, it should be noted that any approved title may be played at an official MSSA Regional Championships. In fact, it is at such Regional Championships that the popularity of various esports titles is tested in order to evaluate whether such titles should, in future, be included in MSSA’s Provincial and National Championships.

The full rules on how titles are selected are as follows:

1. The periods (titles) selected shall be decided upon by the Annual General Meeting.
2. Not more than ten (10) titles shall be selected every year from nominations received.
3. The titles played at the most recent IESF World Championships shall automatically be selected.
4. The remaining titles may then be selected.
5. Should IESF introduce new titles into its World Championships which have not been selected by MSSA, then the least popular game in its genre (excluding titles that are being played at IESF’s World Championships) shall immediately fall away in favour of the new title.
6. The popularity of a period (title) shall be based on attendance at MSSA events.
7. Should IESF introduce new titles into its World Championships which have not been selected by MSSA, and no MSSA event have been held in such period (title) then the Board of Control shall decide which period (title) falls away in such genre (excluding titles that are being played at IESF’s World Championships).
8. Should IESF introduce new titles into its World Championships which have not been selected by MSSA, and there are no other periods (titles) within its genre, then the least popular game (excluding titles that are being played at IESF’s World Championships) shall immediately fall away in favour of the new title.
9. For any period to be nominated, such period (title) shall have been played at any two Regional Events at which there were at least three teams per event.

All proposals for titles must be submitted to MSSA by 1 November 2022 for inclusion in the Agenda for the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Innovative live dealer and betting games studio BetGames has signed its latest deal in Africa, by agreeing to supply the rapidly expanding Sahara Games Technology Corporation.

As part of the latest deal, BetGames has enhanced Sahara Games’ land-based offering by integrating its renowned product portfolio, including popular lottery titles Lucky 7 and Lucky 5 and the exciting Wheel of Fortune game.

Since its inception, Sahara Games has enhanced its position in the quickly growing African market. The operator runs successful operations in several key regions, and its provision of an optimal product mix for players is key to its accomplishments.

The latest deal sees BetGames further enhance its presence in important markets with the collaboration already live, delivering BetGames’ content to over 300 retail locations in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and Mozambique.

Commenting on the deal, BetGames’ VP Sales, Africa, James Everett said: “We’re delighted to have reinforced our position in Africa, with this latest deal seeing us grow in four markets.

“Since its launch, Sahara Games has established itself as a fantastic operator, offering a host of sports-betting and casino products – with our content now adding to its thrilling collection.”

Mathew Halloran, COO at Sahara Games, added: “We’re excited to have reached an agreement with such a prominent name like BetGames, the company’s presence in Africa speaks for itself.

“Striving to maintain the Sahara Games brand as a market leader, we always look to integrate the best in class, and we’ve done just that by taking on BetGames exciting collection of lottery games.”

After a hugely successful 2021, the latest agreement sees BetGames expand its global presence. Having recently rebranded, the company has recorded a surge in engagement as a result of its enhanced Lotto Reloaded studio.

BetGames’ latest flagship product is authorised across several key markets including those governed by the UKGC and MGA, whilst also satisfying the regulatory requirements in a variety of South African jurisdictions.