GAMING FOR AFRICA
North West Gambling Board Licenses Sunbet, Boosting Provincial Economy and Employment
The North West Gambling Board has officially granted Sunbet a license to operate as a bookmaker in the province, marking a significant expansion in the local gambling industry. This move is expected to bolster the provincial coffers through increased revenue collection, as South Africa continues to witness a substantial shift toward online betting.
In recent years, especially following the disruptions caused by COVID-19 shutdowns, there has been a marked increase in online betting. With many traditional gambling venues inaccessible during lockdowns, punters turned to digital platforms, resulting in a rapid growth of gambling and betting revenue across the country.
In stark contrast, the national revenue generated by traditional casinos, has seen a significant decline, accounting for only 37% of total gambling revenue in the 2022/23 fiscal year, down from a staggering 84% in 2010.
The introduction of Sunbet into the online betting space is anticipated to create new job opportunities, stimulate the provincial economy, and support small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) through various platforms established under the licensing conditions.
While regulators still encourage responsible gambling, the convenience of online betting has become increasingly appealing, as greater access to the internet and the proliferation of smartphones allow punters to place wagers from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need to visit physical locations.
In 2023, South Africa’s gambling industry reached a record-breaking R47.2 billion in revenue, driven largely by online betting, which accounted for more than half of the total revenue. The National Gambling Board’s latest annual report indicates that South Africans placed R418 billion worth of bets in the 2023/24 period, reflecting an impressive 80% increase from R233 billion in 2021/22.
Sunbet, in collaboration with the North West Gambling Board, officially launched its services on December 4, 2024, at the prestigious Sun City Resort. The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Honourable Bitsa Lenkopane, MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism,
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Acting Head of Department Relebohile Mafokane, North West Gambling Board Acting CEO Mr. Boitumelo Qalinge, and Executives of Sun International. This strategic partnership represents a promising step forward for both the local economy and the gambling industry, as Sun Bet seeks to capitalize on the growing trend of online betting in South Africa.
Rwanda Bids for F1 Grand Prix
Rwanda is pushing ahead with its bid to be added to the lucrative Formula 1 race calendar as part of a wider plan to double down on sports events as a central plank of its economic growth plan. Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe told Semafor Africa Rwanda is still in talks with Formula 1 concerning its bid to host the sport’s first race in Africa since 1993. He said Rwandan
authorities were working with
other countries that already host races to learn from their experiences. He said “We’re interested — it would be a good thing for the sport itself and Rwanda.” Nduhungirehe said multimillion-dollar investments in facilities, partnerships with sports federations like NBA’s Basketball Africa League, and sponsorship deals with top European football teams including England’s Arsenal and France’s Paris St Germain were driving tourism. The minister said hosting sporting events helped to drive tourism revenue, which stood at $636 million in 2023 — a 36% increase on the previous year.
Sunbet CEO Simon Gregory said, “SunBet is delighted to partner with the North West Gambling Board to drive the expansion of the SunBet Business. Sun International has long been a significant partner of the North West province through our Sun City resort, and we are excited to develop our online business with the Gambling Board in this Province. The expansion will assist the province through the significant contribution Sunbet will make to the fiscus, as well as honouring our commitments to make a difference to the communities in the North West.”
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