LPM CEMS contract to be awarded in June 2017
Three bidders are in the running for the tender to install and implement South Africa’s NCEMS (National Central Electronic Monitoring System) for LPMs (Limited Payout Machines) or AWPs as they are know internationally. The tender will allow for a single company to monitor South Africa’s 11 683 low-wager slots dotted across the country in 2165 active sites like pubs, clubs, shebeens and horseracing tracks for the enxt 8 years. LPMs generated GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue) of R61,6million in the week 27 March 2017 to 2 April 2017. The current contract, secured by Zonke Monitoring Systems expires at the end of the year.
Zonke Monitoring Systems (Pty) Ltd (ZMS) was formed in July 2000 in anticipation of the National Gambling Board’s call for the implementation of a Central Electronic Monitoring System (CEMS) for the limited payout machine (LPM) industry in South Africa. ZMS was appointed as the agent of The National Gambling Board of South Africa in 2001, in terms of which it is contracted to develop, operate and maintain the Central Electronic Monitoring System (CEMS) to manage and monitor the Limited Payout Machine (LPM) industry in South Africa. The shortlist of bidders is: Bidshelf81 renamed to Thabong Monitoring Solutions, Route Monitoring Solutions, Paytronix (Pty) Ltd. It is anticipated that the award for the new CEMS provider will be made in June 2017.
South African gambling authorities seize illegal online winnings
In its ongoing efforts to eradicate illegal gambling, the South African Trade and Industry Department revealed that it has confiscated around R1.25 million (approximately $100,000) in illegal online gambling winnings.
South African National Gambling Board’s Caroline Kongwa.
Although numerous attempts have been made over the years to propose a legalised framework for online gambling in the country, at present online gambling in South Africa is illegal following a landmark case in which an online casino operator in neighbouring Swaziland lost a court case over the exact definition of online gambling. South African authorities’ contention that the actual act of gambling took place on the device of the player or their computer, and not at the server of the online operator (even if it was located outside the borders of South Africa) was upheld by the courts.
Gambling services in the country must be provided in full compliance with the National Gambling Act of 2004. Under the law, online gambling is illegal in South Africa and winnings obtained through iGaming must be forfeited to the state. The gambling industry in the country is regulated and monitored by the National Gambling Board, which means that the regulatory body is also responsible to guard against any criminal activities, sanction such activities in a proper manner, and report them to other competent bodies. As announced by the Trade and Industry Department, the High Court of South Africa has ruled that several individuals forfeit their online gambling winnings of around R1.25 million, as these had been obtained unlawfully. The Department further pointed out in a Saturday statement that the case was unprecedented for the country.
South African officials have repeatedly voiced concerns that online gambling may be used to mask money laundering and other illicit transactions. To prevent this from happening, the National Gambling Board has been working closely with local banks, with the latter helping the regulator and law enforcement confiscate illegal online gambling winnings.
The Trade and Industry Department noted in its Saturday statement that people who gamble online would not only have their winnings confiscated, but would also face prosecution. People who provide illegal gambling services, including iGaming, are also liable to prosecution.
It has become a common practice for so-called Internet cafes, or at least some of the facilities in question, to attract customers by offering them the opportunity to gamble online. Such operations are liable to criminal charges and to penalties of up to R10 million.
Commenting on the High Court’s ruling, National Gambling Board Accounting Officer Caroline Kongwa told media that they are encouraged by the fact that the South African judicial system is considering the matter and is clearly taking it seriously. Ms. Kongwa also appealed for South African citizens to avoid any illegal gambling services and to report the conduction of such services as well as any attempts for their advertising.
Bingo halls, LPMs (or Limited Payout Machines as AWP slots are known in South Africa), brick-and- mortar casinos, and racing and betting are the only legal gambling options under the South African Gambling Act. In terms of Internet gambling, South Africans are only allowed to place sports bets on desktop or mobile.
Although more and more countries in Africa as well as the rest of the world have been taking measures to legalizing online gambling, South Africa has, in fact, tightened its policies against the provision of this type of services with the introduction of the National Gambling Policy 2016.
SureBet247 rolls out Betradar Virtuals across thousands of shops in Nigeria
One of the leading operators offering sports betting in Nigeria, Surebet247, has decided to use Betradar’s suite of virtual gaming products to increase footfall across its retail stores. Surebet247 operates from over 4,000 retail stores across Nigeria and all will offer Betradar’s Virtual Football products. The bookmaker will also work with Betradar on new initiatives as a follow up to this launch.
Sheriff Olaniyan, CEO of Surebet247 stated: “We have been closely monitoring the growing success of virtual sports and have evaluated all the products available to operators in Africa; Betradar has been able to deliver the product to suit the African market based on popular demand.
Betradar has a proven track record of delivering the most compelling product range and the highest income levels and we at Surebet247 are very excited about being able to offer this world leading product to our customers”.
Neale Deeley, Managing Director Gaming at Betradar
added: ‘’Nigeria remains a critical market for our suite of virtual gaming products and we were delighted Surebet247 wanted our latest version in their 4,000+ retail outlets. They have worked with our guys in a flexible and collaborative spirit to make sure that what is provided to their punters is a really engaging and bespoke product”.
