The second Annual Sports Betting West Africa Summit, under the theme: “the perfect entry into the Africa betting and gambling market”. Took place at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra, Ghana on last Monday 18th – 20th July 2016.
The Summit was attended by participants from Nigeria, South Africa, Liberia, Ghana, Kenya, UK etc. The
Summit co-incided with the 4th anniversary celebration of the Africa Gaming and Entertainment Limited. (Safaribet) on Thursday July 14. Safaribet was the Platinum and Tole Bag and Badge Sponsor of the Summit.
In a speech, the Chairman of the African Gaming and Entertainment Limited (Safaribet), Mr. Halit Karabasoglu stated that his company has operated in Ghana for about four years under a very friendly and conducive business atmosphere. He said Ghana is a fertile place to invest, with high expectations and good returns Mr. Halit Karabasoglu further indicated that Safaribet is at the moment the leading on-line retail and mobile betting company in Ghana.
The Country Managing Director of Safaribet, Ms. Ebru Ozturk disclosed that Safaribet started as a modest and humble beginning but through hard work, prompt payment and innovative products, the company has grown and can boast of employing over 1973 workers with over 167 well equipped shops dotted around the country.
She said the interest of clients is paramount, making frantic efforts to provide them with the best service at all times. Miss Ozkurk stated that Safaribert was the first on-lone betting company to be licensed by the Ghana Gaming Commission. She said the vision of the company is to expand to 300 shops and also employ over 4,000 workers in 2017.
The Commissioner, Gaming Commission of Ghana, Mr. Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo disclosed that (16) sixteen Sport Betting Companies have been registered in Ghana, stretching to every part of the country. He emphasized that Ghana is fertile and stable for industries, adding that sports betting industry is far ahead and has taken over casino industry in the country. “We welcome every entrepreneur to come and invest in the country, stressing that Ghana Commission does not have restrictions. “An investor only goes to the Bureau National Investigations (BNI) and the police Headquarters to be investigated and if you are not money laundering and if you fulfill the requirement, licensed is then issued to you to start business”. He cautioned that the Commission is had on age of patrons. “The children should be in school but not at the gamming centres. We keep notify the operators to keep the kids under 18 years out of the facility.
The Director General, National Lottery Authority, Liberia Mr. Martin Kallie, said Lottery Authority has been established in Liberia as a sole authority to license casinos, sport betting lotteries etc. He said there are not much challengers, only two betting companies are operating and four casinos. Mr. Kallie revealed that Liberia has the potential in the gaming market although the population is too small.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lagos Lotteries Board, Mr. Lame Gbajabiamils said in Nigeria, the Regulators creates a conducive environment and formulate licensing procedures and policies. Also ensures stability and sustainability, protection of all stakeholders’ interest. He said the state monitors, enforce and prosecute the illegal operators and sends special task force to enforce compliance with regulatory requirements. He added that regulators are considered integral indispensable to the development of the gaming industry in Nigeria.
I.B. Freeman