With Only 6 Weeks Until SBEA+ Summit 2025, Chairperson Shares Exclusive Insights!


With Only 6 Weeks Until SBEA+ Summit 2025, Chairperson Shares Exclusive Insights!

Excitement is reaching new heights as the 10th Annual Sports Betting East Africa+ Summit approaches – now just six weeks from uniting top iGaming leaders in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania! Set for 20 - 21 May 2025 at the prestigious Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel, this milestone event will be a catalyst for industry breakthroughs and will set the course for the future of iGaming in the region.

Betting has been deeply embedded in Tanzania’s cultural fabric, long before the emergence of formal sportsbooks and casinos. Over time, the industry has evolved, with land-based betting sparking excitement and paving the way for the booming online betting market. Today, Tanzania stands at the forefront of East Africa’s iGaming revolution, offering vast opportunities for innovation and growth.

 

Key Insights from Our Chairperson, Thomas Buckley Opar Owuor


Drawing from his experience in the region’s market, Thomas, Founder of Owuor Law and Chairperson of SBEA+ Summit 2025, highlighted what makes Tanzania a key market for e sports betting industry:


“The main reason it’s such an important market for the industry is that Tanzania is a trailblazer in many areas of gaming in Africa. [For instance], it was the first country in East Africa to establish written sports betting regulations. Ultimately, I think the Tanzanian gaming ecosystem makes it very easy for an operator or investor to have an impact on society, and there is also a lot of cross-governmental support for gaming operations.”


In terms of technological developments the industry should be paying attention to, Thomas had the following to say:


“More than anything, what’s interesting for me is the AI component, specifically regarding customer centricity and system efficiency. We’re looking at how it should make customer support easier – how AI can help operators attend to customer needs 24/7 and provide better answers consistently. Also, I see crypto, which is still a hot topic, being further integrated into sports betting.”


Given the political and regulatory attention sports betting is receiving in East Africa, Thomas shared his take on the situation and its wider implications:


“We’re seeing a lot of political and policing interventions coming through after the explosion of sports betting in East Africa. There tends to always be an increase in taxes and the argument that there are negative social consequences of sports betting that need to be mitigated, but I beg to differ. I believe that the problem the government tends to see is broader than that. I think both sports operators and regulators need to be in the room where these policies are being discussed.”


Thomas also believes it’s important for governments, for example, to realise that many young people turn to sports betting because they don’t have many economic opportunities. He also believes that if the government continues to increase taxes, as they do in Kenya, it will only push the industry underground, leading to more offshore betting and money going overseas. There needs to be a balance.


He added, “Bringing the conversation back to Tanzania, I think they are doing it right. They have a lot of robust discussions whenever there are changes to taxes or policies around betting.”


Here’s why Thomas considers the SBEA+ Summit a must-attend event for every industry leader:


“Dar es Salaam is a beautiful city with great people and great food. Tanzanians are also very tech-savvy and have a lot to teach anyone who ventures out to experience the retail and online sports betting scene. Aside from that, Tanzania’s record of being one of the first in organising gaming means there’s a lot to learn for regulators, investors, operators, marketers, and even community advocates around sports betting and how it should be done. These should be strong reasons for those in the industry not to miss the SBEA+ Summit 2025 in Dar es Salaam.”

 

Celebrating Industry Excellence at the SBEA+ Summit Eventus Awards


The Sports Betting East Africa+ Summit 2025 isn’t just about insightful discussions and networking – it’s also a stage for recognising visionaries and game-changers! On 20 May 2025, during Day One of the summit, we will host the prestigious SBEA+ Summit Eventus Awards Ceremony, where we will honour companies and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the gaming industry.


Know someone who deserves recognition? Submit your nomination now: https://www.sportsbettingevents.com/sbwa-eventus-awards-nomination

 

Limited Spots Available for this Exclusive C-Level Summit


With just six weeks remaining until the SBEA+ Summit 2025, now is the perfect time to secure your spot. Join the conversations that are shaping East Africa’s iGaming future and connect with the industry's most influential leaders.


 

Register now: https://www.sportsbettingevents.com/sbea

Betting has been deeply embedded in Tanzania’s cultural fabric, long before the emergence of formalsportsbooks and casinos. Over time, the industry has evolved, with land-based betting sparkingexcitement and paving the way for the booming online betting market. Today, Tanzania stands at theforefront of East Africa’s iGaming revolution, offering vast opportunities for innovation and growth.Key Insights from Our Chairperson, Thomas Buckley Opar OwuorDrawing from his experience in the region’s market,Thomas, Founder ofOwuor LawandChairperson ofSBEA+ Summit 2025, highlighted what makes Tanzania a key market for the sportsbetting industry:“The main reason it’s such an important market for the industry is that Tanzania is a trailblazer inmany areas of gaming in Africa. [For instance], it was the first country in East Africa to establishwritten sports betting regulations. Ultimately, I think the Tanzanian gaming ecosystem makes it veryeasy for an operator orinvestor to have an impact on society, and there is also a lot of cross-governmental support for gaming operations.”In terms of technological developments the industry should be paying attention to, Thomas had thefollowing to say:“More than anything, what’s interesting for me is the AI component, specifically regarding customercentricity and system efficiency. We’re looking at how it should make customer support easier–howAI can help operators attend to customer needs 24/7 and provide better answersconsistently. Also, Isee crypto, which is still a hot topic, being further integrated into sports betting.”Given the political and regulatory attention sports betting is receiving in East Africa, Thomas sharedhis take on the situation and its wider implications:“We’re seeing a lot of political and policing interventions coming through after the explosion of sportsbetting in East Africa. There tends to always be an increase in taxes and the argument that there arenegative social consequences of sportsbetting that need to be mitigated, but I beg to differ. I believethat the problem the government tends to see is broader than that. I think both sports operators andregulators need to be in the room where these policies are being discussed.”Thomas alsobelieves it’s important for governments, for example, to realise that many young peopleturn to sports betting because they don’t have many economic opportunities. He also believes that ifthe government continues to increase taxes, as they do inKenya, it will only push the industryunderground, leading to more offshore betting and money going overseas. There needs to be abalance.Betting has been deeply embedded in Tanzania’s cultural fabric, long before the emergence of formalsportsbooks and casinos. Over time, the industry has evolved, with land-based betting sparkingexcitement and paving the way for the booming online betting market. Today, Tanzania stands at theforefront of East Africa’s iGaming revolution, offering vast opportunities for innovation and growth.