It is no secret that almost all betting activity in Africa now happens almost entirely on a phone with a recent GeoPoll study signalling the same. And, even though Côte d'Ivoire wasn't part of that survey, anyone who has watched a match in an Abidjan maquis with a phone in hand would probably recognize the picture. In fact, Ivorian authorities have been paying very close attention to this development, and as a result in April of this year, the country adopted a decree creating the USSJH, a unit tasked with monitoring, controlling and securing gaming sites across the country.
That said, the same month, a new operator went live in the nation, i.e. Bet360, a sports betting and online casino platform run by Noventis SAS. The platform owns a license issued by the Loterie Nationale de Côte d'Ivoire (LONACI).
Built Around Football and the Accessibility of a Smartphone
Football (or Soccer as it is known in North America) sits at the center of Bet360’s entire proposition with users being allowed to back matches in the Premier League, La Liga, the Champions League and the Africa Cup of Nations, along with fixtures tied to African and Ivorian football. Basketball and tennis are also on the menu.
Live betting is available too, and matches can be followed through HD streaming while bets are placed. According to the company, streaming is offered across all available matches.
Some of the betting formats are a little different from the usual fare with any bets accrued on a match that ends in 0-0 draw being refunded automatically. A bet is also paid out early if the backed team goes two goals up in football, or 20 points up in basketball, even if the lead is later lost. If that wasn’t enough, boosted odds are offered on top of all this, making the entire proposition even more alluring.
Lastly, when it comes to onboarding, the process is as simple as it gets. Only a phone number is needed, with there being no need to even supply an email address. Moreover, deposits and withdrawals run through the main ‘Mobile Money’ services used in Côte d'Ivoire, which is how a large share of Ivorians already move money day to day. Similarly, withdrawals are instant, with a cap of 10 million FCFA per month.
Applicable apps are available on both iOS and Android, and the platform can also be used on desktop.
A Casino Section and Round-the-Clock Support
Sports aren’t the only products being offered as Bet360 also comes with a digital casino section replete with slot machines (from a range of game providers and a live casino hosted by real dealers). New users are offered a double welcome bonus that applies to both sports betting and the casino.
If that wasn’t enough, customer support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year, including through live chat.
Licensed and a Strict Emphasis on Adults Only
As mentioned earlier, the launch comes under the Ivorian regulatory framework for online gambling. Operating under the LONACI license, Bet360’s operational framework ensures it stays in line with the applicable rules, providing services strictly for adults.
For Noventis SAS, Côte d'Ivoire constitutes a first step, with the company having made clear in recent releases its ambition to build a brand shaped around local habits and to establish a lasting presence in the country's digital entertainment scene. The months ahead promise to be eventful.
