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World Sports Bodies raise Concern Over Kenya Copyright Bill

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Kenya’s 2019 Copyright Amendment Bill, incorporates principles from the WIPO Internet Treaties of 1996, aimed at preventing unauthorised access to and use of creative works

A coalition of global sports bodies has written an open letter to the Kenyan government, expressing concern about the Copyright Amendment Bill currently before parliament, and its potential impact on the availability of international sports content in Kenya.

The Sports Rights Owner Coalition (SROC) is an alliance of more than 50 international and national sport bodies, representing some of the world’s leading sport codes and competitions – including the English Premier League, the FA Cup, Wimbledon, MotoGP, and the Rugby World Cup.

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In the recent letter, signed by Chairman Mark Lichtenstein, the SROC says its members are “extremely concerned” at changes that will be made to Kenya’s Copyright Act if the Copyright Amendment Bill becomes law.

The SROC is particularly worried about proposals to repeal sections 35B, 35C and 35D of the Copyright Act, which allow for take-down notices issued to internet-based service provider platforms which enable content piracy to flourish.

A take-down notice is a widely used remedy employed by copyright owners worldwide, compelling online platforms to rapidly remove content from their websites if it is suspected that the content infringes copyright.

The Kenya Copyright Board (KeCOBO) champion of the Partners Against Piracy (PAP) initiative, has come out in support of the SROC letter.

“Take-down notices are a critical tool for copyright holders and related rights holders to fight digital content piracy by controlling the distribution and economic viability of their work and how it is accessed online,” says Edward Sigei, KeCOBO Executive Director.

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“Across the world, they help to safeguard the intellectual property rights of sports rights owners. If rights owners cannot request that pirated sports content is taken down immediately, that will threaten the future of live sports broadcasts in Kenya. Why would international sports media allow sports broadcasts in Kenya, if they have no way of stopping them from being pirated!”

Kenya’s 2019 Copyright Amendment Bill, incorporates principles from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Internet Treaties of 1996, aimed at preventing unauthorised access to and use of creative works. Takedown notices are among these principles and are necessary tools to enforce copyright protections for rights owners and distributors.

If the Amendment Bill is passed into law, Kenya will be out of step with global trends, the average Kenyan will lose out on great sports entertainment. A further negative consequence of this Amendment Bill passing would be the reputational and economic investment quagmire it would create is jeopardising Kenya’s ability to renew participation in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Agreement (AGOA) program, as one of the additional provisions of renewal requires a demonstrated commitment to copyright protection as a prerequisite to signing. Repealing section 35 of the Copyright Act, would do the exact opposite and threaten investor confidence.

The SROC points out that in Europe, policy makers are strengthening not weakening the effectiveness of take-down notices, particularly regarding live content. New proposals to protect live content more effectively in Europe are expected in the first half of 2022.

“Were the Copyright Amendment Bill to be enacted, it could have devastating consequences for both the Kenyan economy and Kenyan consumers,” says the SROC letter. “Rights holders from sport and other creative industries are extremely unlikely to license their content in a jurisdiction that effectively legitimises piracy. Consumers would therefore be deprived from watching their favourite sports and television shows, and leave Kenya isolated on the global copyright stage.”

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The coalition – which includes the English FA, UEFA, the IAAF, and the International Tennis Federation – goes on to ask that the proposed new law be urgently reconsidered “so as not to harm Kenyan consumers and threaten the availability of sports and entertainment content in Kenya.”

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Africa

BGaming debuts in Africa with Premier Bet

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Popular iGaming content provider BGaming has signed a multi-brand content deal with African licenced operator Premier Bet, marking another major market entry.

Through this new collaboration, BGaming has delivered a selection of its games to Premier Bet’s platform. Titles such as Fruit Million, Wild Cash X9990, Bonanza Billion, Aztec Clusters and Merge Up are all available to the operator’s registered players across several African markets.

Premier Bet dates back to 1997 and currently operates in 17 countries on the continent. It is one of Africa’s biggest betting companies, offering gaming and business opportunities to people across the west, east, centre and south of the continent.

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Africa has always been an epicenter for innovation and resilience, and one industry exemplifying its dynamism in recent years is gambling. This latest market expansion demonstrates BGaming’s exponential global growth and lays the foundations for further success in the thriving region.

Olga Levshina, CCO at BGaming, said: “BGaming continues to penetrate international iGaming markets, with its fresh approach to online casino proving a hit with a wide demographic of players. With this partnership, we have added some of our most appealing titles to Premier Bet’s games line-up as it seeks to expand its player base.”

Karen Hope, Director of Casino at Premier Bet, added: “We are pleased to partner with BGaming to drive this next phase of Premier Bet’s development across several key African markets. The studio’s vibrant games add variety to our casino games collection.”

 

BGaming is a fast-growing iGaming content provider converting gambling into gaming. Thanks to an expert team and a player-driven approach, the studio creates innovative and engaging products featured on reputable platforms and 1,100+ online casinos worldwide. BGaming is the world’s first to support cryptocurrencies and offer Provably Fair games. Today the brand’s portfolio includes 150+ products with HD graphics and a clear user interface for every device. The studio is also known for its brand exclusives created in partnerships with leading operators in the industry.

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The post BGaming debuts in Africa with Premier Bet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Africa

Women in Gaming Africa Partners with All-in Diversity Project to Advance Diversity, Equity & Inclusion across Gaming

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Women in Gaming Africa (WiG) proudly announces its strategic partnership with the All-in Diversity Project, a globally recognised organisation dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the gaming sector. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in fostering greater representation and empowerment across the industry, particularly within the African continent.

As leaders in their respective domains, Women in Gaming Africa and the All-in Diversity Project share a common mission: to drive positive change by promoting diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of the gaming sector. By joining forces, they aim to amplify their impact and reach, ensuring that underrepresented voices and perspectives are heard and valued within the global gaming community.

Reflecting on the partnership, Kelly Kehn, Co-Founder of All-in Diversity Project remarked, “We are thrilled to partner with Women in Gaming Africa in our ongoing pursuit of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the gaming industry. This collaboration not only extends our reach across the globe but also underscores our belief in the mutual benefits of partnering. By joining forces, we have a unique opportunity to learn from each other, share insights, and elevate the dialogue surrounding DEI in Africa and beyond.”

Empowering diversity in gaming isn’t just a vision; it’s a commitment. Our collaboration with All-in-Diversity is a powerful stride towards inclusivity, diversity & empowerment; fostering a vibrant community where every voice thrives. Together, we pave the way for a stronger, more diverse future in gaming. I encourage those reading this to join us in shaping tomorrow’s industry today!

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Through this partnership, Women in Gaming Africa and the All-in Diversity Project will leverage their combined expertise, resources, and networks to drive meaningful change and create a more inclusive gaming ecosystem. By championing diversity and empowering individuals from all backgrounds, they aim to cultivate a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive and contribute to the industry’s success.

The post Women in Gaming Africa Partners with All-in Diversity Project to Advance Diversity, Equity & Inclusion across Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Africa

3 Oaks Gaming to enter South Africa with Supabets

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iGaming distributor to extend global presence with latest regulated market push

3 Oaks Gaming, an established distributor of iGaming content, is set to go live in the South African iGaming market through a partnership with leading operator, Supabets.

With this collaboration, 3 Oaks Gaming’s diverse portfolio of games will be accessible to players on Supabets’ online platform. Users will soon be able to enjoy a plethora of top-performing titles from the iGaming distributor, including Sun of Egypt 3: Hold and Win, Green Chili: Hold and Win, and Aztec Fire: Hold and Win.

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Founded in 2008, Supabets has established itself as one of the premium brands in the region, providing its customers with a comprehensive range of sports betting markets and wide selection of casino games.

This latest news is set to reinforce 3 Oaks Gaming’s strategic vision for global expansion. Venturing into the African continent for the first time significantly broadens the supplier’s audience reach, signalling a new era of commercial growth.

Sebastian Damian, Managing Director of 3 Oaks Gaming, said: “This marks a pivotal moment for our company as we prepare for our content to seamlessly integrate with Supabets, enriching the gaming experience for South African players.

“We are confident that our games will leave a lasting impression, and we eagerly anticipate the journey ahead with our esteemed partner.”

Bavu Mpama, Head of Product at Supabets, said: “3 Oaks Gaming offers an extensive collection of slots that we believe will captivate and entertain our users. This collaboration is part of our commitment to continuously enhance our casino offering for our players.

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“We’re poised to redefine the iGaming landscape in South Africa, setting new benchmarks for excellence in the industry.”

The post 3 Oaks Gaming to enter South Africa with Supabets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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