Brian Baloyi on life after football and the growth of sports betting in SA

Sports betting in South Africa has experienced significant growth since the influx of bookmakers leading up to the 2010 World Cup. The latest development in this industry saw Hollywoodbets being unveiled as the official La Liga betting partner in South Africa. Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and Hollywoodbets Ambassador, Brian Baloyi, sat down with CNBC Africa's Karabo Letlhatlha to discuss this new partnership and the potential implications for South African football. Baloyi, a well-known figure in South African football, shed light on his relationship with Hollywoodbets, revealing that the connection stemmed from a long-standing friendship with the company's founders. Despite having played for rival teams Orlando Pirates and Kaiser Chiefs during his football career, Baloyi emphasized the importance of their friendship and how it has translated into a meaningful collaboration post-retirement. The key theme of the interview revolved around the transformative power of partnerships in driving community development and supporting initiatives within the sports industry. Baloyi highlighted Hollywoodbets' commitment to investing in community projects and how this resonates with his personal journey towards promoting physical development and empowerment among youth. Three key points emerged from Baloyi's conversation with Letlhatlha: the significance of financial backing for community programs, the challenges in establishing partnerships with football franchises due to regulations, and the immense popularity of sports betting in South Africa. Baloyi underscored the role of financial support in enabling impactful corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives, emphasizing the need for resources to drive positive change in communities. He commended Hollywoodbets for its commercial relationships with sports teams like the dolphins and sharks, illustrating the company's tangible contributions to the sports industry. Regarding partnerships with football franchises, Baloyi expressed optimism about future collaborations but acknowledged the existing regulatory hurdles that need to be navigated. He hinted at ongoing efforts to forge alliances with football clubs, implying that such partnerships could materialize in due course. In discussing the prevalence of sports betting in South Africa, Baloyi shared his insights on the industry's magnitude and highlighted La Liga as a key focus for Hollywoodbets. While acknowledging the enduring popularity of the English Premier League, Baloyi emphasized the significance of La Liga in the local sports betting landscape. One memorable quote from Baloyi encapsulated the widespread enthusiasm for sports betting in the country: 'Sports betting is very big in this country. People are placing bets not only on popular leagues but also on competitions in lesser-known countries, showcasing the broad reach of the industry.' Another pivotal theme in the interview centered on the shared objectives of Hollywoodbets and La Liga in expanding their influence in South Africa and Africa. Baloyi highlighted the dual mission of enhancing the league's presence and growing Hollywoodbets' footprint in the betting market, emphasizing the convergence of interests in promoting sports engagement. In envisioning the future impact of the Hollywoodbets-La Liga partnership on football, Baloyi articulated his aspirations for empowering South African youth through innovative programs. He proposed initiatives such as facilitating trials in Spain for local players and sponsoring trips for aspiring footballers to attend matches in La Liga, underscoring the transformative potential of such opportunities. The article then concludes with a lighter note as Letlhatlha inquires about Baloyi's predictions for the league winner, to which the former goalkeeper quips, 'Cheers,' maintaining a sense of intrigue and anticipation around the upcoming football season.