New African venture for Kiron and Vermantia virtual games service

The Kiron Interactive and Vermantia partnership has launched its virtual games TV channel with two operators in East Africa.

Uganda’s Kings Bet and BETnSport are the country’s first retail bookmakers to take the premium service, which went live with Nigeria’s largest operator, Nairabet, last month .

The virtual solution, which features human commentary, showcases Kiron’s virtual portfolio, including sports such horses, dogs, football, trotting, motor-racing and cycling. Number games – including Keno – will follow later this year.

It will be launched in 130 shops in the initial phase, rising to 500 by the end of 2015. Kings Bet, which is Uganda’s largest bookmaker, operates eight separate retail betting brands in the country.

Steven Spartinos, co-CEO of Kiron Interactive, said: “The channel is a cost-effective and scalable solution that can be beamed to any corner of Africa, where virtual games have proven to be very popular.

“It has launched very successfully in Nigeria and I’m sure the same will be the case in Uganda.”

Simon Mpanga, BETnSPORT CEO, said the new venture allows his company to offer its customers exciting content, no matter where the shop is located.