Betline ends WSB partnership after preschool promotion
Betline’s move follows scrutiny of WSB’s marketing practices after a promotional activation involving preschool children in Pretoria.
Key takeaways:
- Betline terminated its partnership with World Sports Betting (WSB) following the controversial preschool promotional campaign in Pretoria.
- The platform disabled WSB affiliate links and removed its bonuses and promotional listings on November 5, 2026.
- Betline Founder Fanie Zevgolis said protecting children must remain an unequivocal priority for the gambling industry.
South Africa.- South Africa’s Betline has terminated its partnership with World Sports Betting (WSB) amid public criticism of the bookmaker’s “Bet to the Beat campaign”, which featured a promotional activation at a Pretoria preschool. WSB withdrew from the campaign following the backlash.
The campaign involved a branded prize wheel at Cornwall Hill College Preschool, where children were encouraged to cheer as their teacher participated in a cash-prize promotion. WSB apologised for the classroom activation and said it would strengthen its supplier code of conduct.
Betline is an independent South African online betting comparison platform covering locally licensed bookmakers, their services and promotional offers. Founder Fanie Zevgolis said the decision reflected the company’s position on responsible gambling and the need to protect vulnerable audiences.
“Betline takes its partnerships seriously. We believe that responsible gambling is about more than compliance with regulations. It requires a clear commitment to protecting vulnerable audiences, particularly children. Our decision to terminate this partnership reflects our position that these principles are non-negotiable for us,” said Zevgolis.
Betline disabled all WSB affiliate links from its website on November 5, and removed the operator’s bonuses and promotional listings. However, the WSB logo and short profile remain available to provide factual information about the operator, including licensing and registration details.
Zevgolis added: “This incident also raises fundamental questions about the judgement and responsibility exercised in gambling marketing. We believe that the protection of children must remain an unequivocal priority for the gambling industry.”
