Gaming And Betting

The African region is a key growth region for international operators. There are challenges with inconsistent regulatory environments. The online gaming environment is fast evolving and operators are seeking to make market entry. With a fast-growing tech sector in Africa, mobile phones have revolutionized online gaming. Customers are enjoying better service with faster internet speeds and innovative products. Governments are proactive in legislation to promote investment in the sector. The passion for sports in the youth presents a lot of potential for off shore operators. With an online and mobile first approach to local preferences, the potential for the sector is limitless. However, local context is important in navigating the taxation and compliance regimes. Licensing challenges can be managed with the most up to date information. Customers in the different markets prefer certain nuances in gaming and betting services. As a former compliance director for an online operator, I gained deep industry knowledge in navigating the gaming and betting sector in this region.

Most of my clients are tech-based companies with focus on gaming and betting. My work experience has covered regulatory, commercial and tax representation in all East African countries. I can introduce you to other operators, investors, market research specialists, regulators. You will receive the latest information and trends on the sector in this region. My practice over the wider African region has serviced numerous clients through alliances with the leading advisors in the gambling and entertainment industry. You will receive business intelligence on the regulatory, tax and government directives proactively. Let me balance your commercial goals with the regulatory requirements.

How I can help.

Whether you are an operator, casino company, gaming studio, equipment manufacturer, gaming service company, software provider, bookmaker, I offer services including:

• Preparation and acquisition of licenses for land based and online operators;

• Full compliance with local laws and best market practice;

• Corporate structuring and tax planning for gaming operations;

• Nominee director services including local director services;

• Approvals for casino games, land-based operations, e-gaming;

• Country specific and local content advice on the gambling industry;

• Gaming tax filings including: withholding tax, gaming tax, income tax;

• Company secretarial and corporate governance support;

• Data privacy and protection compliance services;

• Trademark and intellectual property protection;

• Support on non – gaming legal issues including: contracts, indemnity insurance, employment;

• Comprehensive due diligence on target companies on behalf of investors;

• Social responsibility measures and CSR planning;

• Advice on gambling advertising, anti-money laundering controls and related matters;

• Day to day compliance with license requirements;

• Representation before regulators and local authorities;

• Work with regulators on behalf of operators;

• Negotiation of software agreements and commercial contracts;

• Compliance with reporting requirements, disclosures, regulator responses;

• Client updates on proposed law changes, regulator directives and practice;

• Regulatory developments, compliance and monitoring compliance;

• Market research over the East African region;

• Client trainings on tax audits, regulator investigations, gaming law developments;

• System integration with mobile telecoms and fintechs;

• Support in gaming litigation and dispute resolution;

• Drafting commercial documents such as: terms and conditions, contracts,conduct codes;

• General advisory services on legal and operational matters which arise fromtime to time;

• Land based office setup including bank account setup, business tenancynegotiation support, regulatory approvals, coordinating HR recruitmentfunction, virtual lawyer support;

• Acting as Legal Advisor over your operations in East Africa.

Experience.

• Confidential client: Lead Counsel for international operator purchasing local betting company leading to acquisition of licenses for general betting and casino operations.

• Confidential client: Acted as the legal advisor to an international bidder for gaming machine inspection service for the government.

• Confidential client: Setup holding companies in Mauritius for operator setting up gaming consultancy services in East and West Africa;

• Confidential client: advised an international operator purchase betting companies in 7 African countries. Advice covered: tax structuring, license acquisition, latest developments in the gaming industry, online gambling regulation, direct knowledge of the gambling industry in Africa;

• Confidential client: Provided comprehensive legal advice to one of the largest software providers seeking to setup in East Africa;

• Confidential client: Opposed an enforcement action on behalf of a land-based operator;

• Confidential client: Acted on a review for a casino license including detailed representations to the regulator’s findings;

• Confidential client: Advice to an operator seeking market entry on gambling regulatory matters;

• Confidential client: local counsel handling regular trainings on regulatory compliance, training in regulator audits, anti-money laundering, corporate social responsibility.

• Confidential client: Local Counsel to a local soccer team seeking sponsorship from an international sports betting operator.

• Confidential client: Advice on broad spectrum of corporate, commercial and regulatory matters in the gaming industry.

• Confidential client: Acted on behalf of an online operator on anti-money laundering controls;

• Confidential client: Successfully acted for an operator whose licence was suspended;

• Confidential client: Represented an operator in contract negotiations over new technologies;

• Confidential client: Prepared numerous customer terms and conditions, internal codes of conduct

• Confidential client: Corporate restructuring support for operator closing operations

• Confidential client: Advised an international company developing an online skills game and registered trademarks for various products;

• Confidential client: Local Counsel in trademark applications in 14 African countries;

• Confidential client: Support to operators seeking equity fundraising, contract negotiation support;

• Confidential client: Advised a potential market entrant on payment services laws and requirements for lottery licence;

• Confidential client: Local Counsel for a leading block chain technology provider for gaming companies;

• Confidential client: Local Counsel for a leading international law firm serving numerous international operators setting up in the Middle East and Africa. Work involved: advice on appeals and disputes in gaming industry, gambling advertising, employee licenses, premise approvals, bank account setups, telecom integration, cross border licence applications, local gaming agents, acquisition of betting companies, gaming commercial contracts, gambling software licenses, sponsorship agreements, intellectual property, trademarks, cross border IP right management.

Are you ready to chat about setting up in East Africa? Let’s chat