Latest News

South Africa: Tribunal Grants Lottoland Interim Relief – Orders Google to Grant Lottoland Access to its Advertising Platform

Published

5 months ago

November 18, 2024

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Competition Tribunal (“Tribunal”) has issued an interim order directing Google Ireland Ltd and Google South Africa (Pty) Ltd (collectively, “Google”) to permit Lottoland South Africa (Pty) Ltd (“Lottoland”) to access its advertising services known as “Google Ads”, for so long as Google permits any firm in South Africa to utilise Google’s Ads Services to advertise fixed-odds betting on the outcome of lotteries. The Tribunal’s order applies for a period of six months from its date, or the conclusion of a hearing into the prohibited practices alleged by Lottoland, whichever is the earlier.

This platform enables advertisers to display ads to users who utilise Google search, with Google Ireland acting as the service provider for Google Ads in South Africa.

The Tribunal’s order follows an interim relief application by Lottoland, a licensed bookmaker, which, inter alia, offers fixed-odds bets on the outcome of various lotteries around the world, including the South African national lottery, sporting events and other betting contingencies. Lottoland competes with other licensed bookmakers in South Africa such as Hollywood Bets, World Sports Betting, Betway, Betfred (which owns Lottostar) and Netbet (which trades as Sportingbet).

In summary, Lottoland alleged that Google terminated its access to Google Ads without justification while allowing access to its competitors, causing it financial harm and distorting competition in the market that Lottoland operates in, to the detriment of consumers.

Google contended that Lottoland’s offering of fixed-odds bets on the outcome of the national lottery in South Africa contravenes sections 57(1) and 57(2)(g) of the Lotteries Act. It submitted that in terms of its online advertising policies, which are designed to protect users, restrictions are placed on the promotion of certain gambling activities. Of particular relevance, the promotion of lotteries is limited to state-licensed entities and that this restriction is in place to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Lotteries Act.

Reasons for Decision

A non-confidential version of the Tribunal’s reasons will be published in due course once any confidentiality claims in relation to the reasons have been finalised with the parties involved. In deciding the matter, the Tribunal considered the following three factors holistically, balancing each factor against the other to determine what is reasonable and just:

• Evidence relating to the alleged prohibited practice;

• The need to prevent serious or irreparable damage to the applicant (Lottoland); and

• The balance of convenience.

The post South Africa: Tribunal Grants Lottoland Interim Relief – Orders Google to Grant Lottoland Access to its Advertising Platform appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Olympian Legends: Galaxsys’ New Slot Game Inspired by Ancient Myths

Published

1 hour ago

April 30, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Galaxsys, the award-winning games developer, is proud to announce the launch of Olympian Legends, a new slot game that brings the power and majesty of ancient mythology to life.

More than just a tribute to ancient mythology, Olympian Legends combines breathtaking visuals, innovative features, and dynamic gameplay, promising players an unforgettable journey through the myths of Olympus. As players progress and reveal mythic features, they face the power of ancient gods. With cascading symbols and exciting bonuses, the game delivers a dynamic adventure that’s truly worth exploring.

This marks the third slot title that Galaxsys has announced over the last two months, following the launches of Funny Faces: Hoglet-Moglet and El Dorado.

What Makes Olympian Legends Special
Olympian Legends stands out by blending rich narrative elements with innovative slot mechanics. The progress bar on the right side of the grid consists of five elements. Each time a winning combination is formed, the progress bar fills from bottom to top, triggering a mythical feature when an element is completed. Additionally, the Buy Bonus option allows players to take fate into their own hands, enabling them to access the bonus game at any time they choose.

Dynamic animations and sound design ensure every encounter with Zeus, Poseidon, and more characters feels like stepping into an epic saga rather than playing a traditional slot.

Vigen Safaryan, CPO at Galaxsys, commented: “Olympian Legends combines strong gameplay mechanics with a detailed and dynamic theme. Our goal was to deliver a slot that feels rewarding to play while offering players a more refined experience through mythology. We paid special attention to balancing the game’s features to ensure that the experience feels dynamic, without overwhelming the player. From the visuals and animations to the way the bonuses unfold, every element was designed to create a journey that feels both entertaining and authentic.”

Olympian Legends is now live and available for Galaxsys’ global network of partners.

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Latest News

Inaugural iGaming Event for Technology Leaders: Technology in Gaming Conference 2025

Published

1 hour ago

April 30, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The iGaming industry is getting a dedicated space for its most forward-thinking technical leaders with the launch of the Technology in Gaming Conference 2025 (TiG 2025) — an exclusive new event created specifically for CTOs, CIOs, and senior technology stakeholders in the iGaming world.

Taking place on 1st July 2025 as part of London iGaming Week in partnership with iGB Live!, this specialist conference will bring together some of the most innovative minds in technology to explore the future of cybersecurity, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, compliance, and scalability. TiG 2025 is designed to give technical leaders a forum tailored to the real challenges and opportunities shaping iGaming today and in the years to come.

“I am delighted to see other organisers bringing their own events that meet the need of specialist verticals within the industry as part of London iGaming week. The team at iGB L!VE are pleased to be able to support this event, and encourage iGaming senior IT professionals to join what we know will be an event that offers excellent content and networking opportunities for them” said Naomi Barton, Portfolio Director at Clarion – Organiser of iGB Live!

Topics on the agenda include:

Scalable architecture & infrastructure
AI & machine learning in iGaming
Compliance & security in regulated markets
Future-ready platform innovation
Engineering teams, DevOps, and automation

“As an industry driven by technology I think it’s important to create a space that speaks specifically to the leaders developing and driving the change that has such a big impact on the growth and development of such an exciting sector” commented Shona ODonnell, Event Director.

Pretty Technical, a leading provider of iGaming software and platform solutions, is proud to be named the headline sponsor of this inaugural event. The company’s commitment to innovation and modern architecture makes it a natural fit for an event designed to shape the next chapter of gaming tech.

“As a business that thrives on building technology designed for the next decade, not the last, we’re thrilled to support TiG 2025 and connect with the talented tech leaders shaping the future of iGaming,” said Emma Blaylock, CEO Pretty Technical.

The event is also sponsored by Claranet, experts in modernising and managing critical applications and infrastructure 24×7, and Marshall Wolfe, a dedicated hiring consultancy specialising in digital and technology sectors.

Registration is now open with tickets currently discounted by £200 until 31st May.

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Latest News

EveryMatrix goes ‘back to where it all began’ with new London office opening

Published

1 hour ago

April 30, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

EveryMatrix has opened a new central London office, 17 years after it was founded in the UK capital.

Located in the heart of the city on the 25th floor of the newly opened 258,000 sq ft HYLO building in Old Street, London, the premium office space is home to various EveryMatrix teams, including several members of its OddsMatrix sports platform division.

The HYLO has been described as one of London’s most exciting new buildings, boasting a high rise tower and large, efficient podium floors plus roof gardens and new public spaces all within the popular Shoreditch area.

Team members include UK-based ex FSB Technology employees who have successfully integrated into EveryMatrix, following its acquisition last year. Many of the team have been responsible for delivering the Group’s new horse racing product.

Built from the ground up in just six months, the EveryMatrix racing product is fully managed by the expert, award-winning former-FSB trading team in London. The solution offers a wide range of global content, round the clock streaming, multiple derivative markets, granular price management and dynamic cross-product bonusing.

Designed to appeal to core racing markets such as the UK & Ireland and South Africa, customers also benefit from integration into EveryMatrix platform technology, offering increased scale, next generation user experience, enhanced bonusing and increased automation.

The new EveryMatrix London office is the third new global location to be opened this year with Chang Mai in Thailand and Cebu in the Philippines welcoming teams in March. This takes the total number of global EveryMatrix offices to 15 employing more than 1,400 staff.

The EveryMatrix workforce has increased by 40% since last March when the company announced its 1,000 th employee while simultaneously cutting the ribbon on a state-of-the-art, sustainably developed and built office for more than 500 staff in Bucharest.

Ebbe Groes, Group CEO and Co-Founder, EveryMatrix, said: “We’re back where it all began when Stian [Hornsletten] and I co-founded the business in 2008. This new opening brings back so many fond memories and I’m personally delighted to see the business come back full circle.

“The space is magnificent and one of the best I’ve ever seen offering our teams here superb working conditions, multiple benefits and the ideal central London location.

“Our growth is showing no bounds and this new UK location highlights just how ambitious we are to continue growing and working with premium, tier-1 customers who we can now host in one of Europe’s best cities.”

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