KingMakers appoints ex-Flutter head as chief operating officer
Ronnie Whelan links up with Africa-facing firm as it plans new launch in South Africa by year end
KingMakers has named former Flutter chief experience officer Ronnie Whelan as its new chief operating officer.
Whelan joins the Africa-facing firm after leaving Flutter in August, after 16 months as the company’s chief experience officer.
Whelan previously spent five years with Sky Betting and Gaming as a trading director and managing director of customer experience.
The former Sporting Index head is set to join an experienced C-level suite at KingMakers.
The group is now led by CEO Kim Reid, after he replaced former boss Neil Bothma following his departure in September.
Other senior executives include former Entain head Jaspal Kang as CFO and ex-William Hill chief Tom Quinn as CTO.
Elsewhere, KingMakers has confirmed it will launch in South Africa by the end of 2023 as the operator powers ahead with its expansion on the continent.
The BetKing parent company will launch SuperSportBet as it aims to tackle local heroes Hollywood Bets and Lottostar, as well as online giant Betway.
In an investor presentation, KingMakers said it was planning to invest to secure a market leadership position in South Africa.
The operator has entered into a partnership with broadcasting firm MultiChoice to leverage its reach through South Africa.
KingMakers said the partnership would reduce marketing costs and would allow for content integration both in broadcast and online.
The firm also pointed towards MultiChoice’s customers’ proclivity to betting, with 77% of DStv subscribers claimed to bet or make predictions on sports.
The group is already live in Nigeria with its BetKing brand and uses its free-to-play brand SuperPicks in Ghana.
However, expansion into Kenya and Ethiopia has been paused due to unfavourable conditions, including tax regimes as well as banking difficulties in these jurisdictions.