Sports Betting East Africa + Summit (SBEA+) 2024

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SBEA+ 2024 focused on an operator-first agenda to empower operators to understand market dynamics and the evolving regulatory framework in Eastern Africa.

by Zoran Ristic

7 months ago 251

Sports Betting East Africa + Summit (SBEA+) 2024

Sports Betting East Africa+ Summit (SBEA+) has been vital a conference and exhibition for African operators, regulators, manufacturers, payment and software providers for the past 8 years. SBEA+ has been bringing together these key stakeholders to share experiences, explore the latest gaming technology and innovation trends, and contribute to the overall development of the online gambling landscape in East Africa.

Sports Betting East Africa+ Summit 2024 was held from 1 – 3 July at the prestigious Kabira Country Club in Kampala, Uganda. The summit focused on providing valuable knowledge and collaboration opportunities through an operator-first agenda to empower operators in operations, regulation, and market dynamics to understand the regulatory framework in Eastern Africa.

About Sports Betting East Africa+

For almost a decade, Sports Betting East Africa+ has stood as a pivotal event for African operators, regulators, manufacturers, payment and software providers, and various stakeholders. This event serves as a vibrant platform where industry players come together, share experiences, explore cutting-edge gaming innovations, and contribute significantly to the overall advancement of the gaming industry across the region.

SBEA+ also fosters new partnerships and facilitates deal closures at its engaging networking functions. Throughout the events, multiple networking opportunities abound, allowing you to connect with industry leaders and decision-makers. You can seize these moments to forge impactful collaborations, close deals, and establish new partnerships that could shape the future of your gaming endeavors.

Key Topics and Discussions at Sports Betting East Africa+ 2024

At SBEA+ 2024, there were insightful keynote addresses, engaging panel discussions, and interactive round-table sessions led by industry experts and thought leaders. Reputable speakers at SBEA+ 2024 included:

Dennis Macharia Maina, Managing Partner, Suss Digital Africa Ltd.
Patrick Rwamasunzu, Secretary General, Rwanda Gaming Association
Weldon Koros, Director, Association of Gambling Regulators Africa & Responsible Gambling Federation of Kenya

Participants were treated with enriching presentations focused on the following topics driving the future of gaming in East Africa.

Promoting diversity and inclusion: Exploring strategies to empower female leadership in sports betting and iGaming.
Unmissable regulatory insights: Understanding the impact of new gaming laws and advertising bans across East Africa.
The role of responsible gaming: Addressing operator strategies and regulatory frameworks to protect vulnerable groups.
East African mobile money revolution: M-Pesa and its role in transforming iGaming transactions in the region.
Esports and content entrepreneurship: Opportunities in the creator economy and esports for East African markets.
Beyond Borders: Exploring the next era of gaming in East Africa

SBEA+ 2024 Highlights

With the conclusion of the 9th Annual Sports Betting East Africa (SBEA+) 2024 Summit at Kabira Country Club, Kampala, Uganda, let’s reflect on a few highlights from the event.

Striking the Right Balance: Operator Strategies for Responsible Gaming

This panel discussion was moderated by Purity W. (Palms Bet) and explored effective strategies for responsible gaming amidst industry growth in East Africa. Purity also talked about the place of women in the gaming industry and the need to create a valuable community for sharing their positive insights and experiences. The panel included:

James Mpiirwe (Kiwibet
Benard Musinguzi (Betsure Uganda)
Lucy Vivi (Ceylonite Limited T/A Betss)

M-Pesa and the Mobile Money Revolution

Frank Deya, Director of Betcoin, delivered a keynote presentation on “M-Pesa and the Mobile Money Revolution.” He highlighted the transformative impact of mobile money solutions in enhancing transactional efficiency and accessibility within the online gambling sector.

Player Protection: Exploring Regulatory Frameworks and Safer Sports Betting Practices

James Mpiirwe moderated a panel discussion on regulatory frameworks. The panel emphasized the importance of evolving regulations to ensure fairness and safety for all participants, especially minors and vulnerable groups.

The panelists were:

Weldon Koros (Association of Gambling Regulators Africa & Responsible Gambling Federation of Kenya)
John Kyazze (Uganda National Bureau of Standards)
Timothy Kajja (Discovery Sports & Melbet)

Timothy Kajja insisted on the need for groundroots education and further development and implementation of comprehensive self-exclusion initiatives by both local and international operators.

Critical Issues and Opportunities in Africa’s Burgeoning iGaming Sector

Dennis Maina, Managing Partner at Suss Ads, a leading Marketing and Communications (MarTech) agency headquartered in Kenya, delivered an insightful keynote address on the future of online gambling in Africa.

Mr. Dennis insisted that the gaming industry in East Africa and the whole of the African continent need to embrace technology and innovation to automate and streamline processes and data-driven decision-making. He singled out advancements such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and blockchain in enhancing user experiences, ensuring transactional fairness and security, and optimising marketing strategies amidst regulatory shifts and tax changes.

While concluding his address, Mr. Dennis underscored the importance of inclusivity and user-friendly digital experiences for younger generations. He added that the industry needs to support initiatives such as M-Pesa and address societal challenges like agriculture and climate change to boost the economic and social benefits of the iGaming community.

SBEA+ Eventus Awards

SBEA+ Eventus Awards featured an award ceremony to celebrate companies that have excelled in various fields within the gaming industry. The winners of the SBEA+ Eventus Awards 2024 were:

Online Casino Provider Award 2024: QTech Games
Sports Betting Operator Award 2024: BetConstruct
Online Gaming Operator Award 2024: Palms Bet
Outstanding Consultant Award 2024: Ocean Gaming Consult Ltd
Industry Influencer Award 2024: Jeremiah Mwangi, CEO at iGaming AFRIKA

Celebrating Women in Gaming – Eventus Awards

The SBEA+ Summit 2024 also recognized the contributions of women in the gaming landscape with special awards. These included:

The Spirit of East Africa. This title was awarded to Faith Dorothy Ahurira, Women in Games Ambassador
East Africa’s Rising Star in Leadership Award. Emily Asava, SA Gaming, clinched this award.
Innovation Queen of East Africa. Purity Wahiu, Palms Bet, won this award for her exemplary and innovative approach to online gaming