Africa
HYPROP MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience2025: South Africa’s Biggest Gaming Showdown Returns
From qualifiers to finals, EAFC 25 to Beat Saber, Over R250 000 in prizes and two champions to crown – this is South Africa’s ultimate gaming experience!
South Africa’s biggest gaming tournament is back. The 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience kicks off on 18 May, bringing months of competitive energy, in-centre activations, and serious prize money to malls across the country. This year’s edition raises the stakes with the return of the EAFC 25™ National Football Tournament and the debut of the MTN Beat Saber Challenge – two national titles, one massive celebration of gaming culture.
Over five months, eight Hyprop shopping centres will play host to a mix of online qualifiers and live in-mall events, creating a national stage where gamers of all levels can test their skills, win prizes and join a fast-growing community of South African players. The top contenders will face off in the National Finals at Canal Walk from 17 to 21 September, with R50 000 on the line in the EAFC 25™ Football Final and more prizes up for grabs in the Beat Saber showdown.
Tournament Dates and Venues:
- Rosebank Mall
Online Qualifier: 18 May | In-Centre Event: 23–25 May
- Somerset Mall
Online Qualifier: 25 May | In-Centre Event: 30 May–1 June
- Woodlands
Online Qualifier: 7 June | In-Centre Event: 13–16 June
- The Glen
Online Qualifier: 22 June | In-Centre Event: 27–29 June
- Table Bay Mall
Online Qualifier: 13 July | In-Centre Event: 18–20 July
- Clearwater Mall
Online Qualifier: 3 August | In-Centre Event: 8–10 August
- Capegate Mall
Online Qualifier: 31 August | In-Centre Event: 5–7 September
- Canal Walk (National Finals & Last Qualifier)
Online Qualifier: 7 September | In-Centre Event: 17–21 September
“The SHIFT Gaming Experience is more than a tournament; it’s where South African gamers show up, show off and celebrate what they love,” says Christie Stanbridge, Brand and Campaigns Marketing Manager at Hyprop. “From football simulations to VR rhythm battles, we’ve created something that speaks to every kind of player. Whether you’re competing or just watching, there’s always something happening.”
The format combines online, and in-person play. Qualify online on the ACGL platform, then take on your opponents in-centre across malls in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria. Each in-mall weekend features the EAFC 25™ tournament, daily Fighting Cups, a PC Gaming Zone powered by PCBuilder, Carry1st COD Mobile and the popular SuperSprint lap challenge presented by the Toyota Gaming Engine.
Gamers can also go head-to-head in Tekken, Street Fighter 6, Brawlhalla, Rocket League, Minecraft and Call of Duty: Mobile, with dozens of R1 000+ gift card prizes on offer each weekend. The Beat Saber Challenge, hosted by MTN and playable both in-mall and on MTN’s Battle+ platform, brings a high-energy VR experience into the mix. Players with the highest Beat Saber scores at each mall qualify for the National Final – and anyone who tries it stands a chance to win a gaming PC worth R50 000.
“We’re creating spaces where South Africans can compete, connect and get rewarded for their passion,” says Jason Probert, General Manager: Digital Services at MTN South Africa. “Whether it’s with Beat Saber or Battle+, we want our community to know that gaming lives here.”
The SHIFT Gaming Experience also makes space for younger players. Friday events feature tournaments designed for schools and under-18 gamers, offering dedicated Minecraft build challenges, EAFC 25™ scholars only tournament and Rocket League face-offs – all with real prizes.
The post HYPROP MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience2025: South Africa’s Biggest Gaming Showdown Returns appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
Logifuture-powered Bet9ja releases Moses Itauma mini-series ahead of Jermaine Franklin fight
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Logifuture-powered Bet9ja releases Moses Itauma mini-series ahead of Jermaine Franklin fight
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Nigeria’s leading sportsbook to provide fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes access
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Logifuture-powered Bet9ja announced sponsorship deal with Itauma in August
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Bet9ja social media followers grew by more than 10% to 3.1m since Itauma partnership
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Unbeaten Itauma due to fight Franklin in Manchester in January
Bet9ja, Nigeria’s leading sportsbook, powered by Logifuture, has launched a series of videos, giving boxing fans exclusive access to brand ambassador Moses Itauma as he prepares for his next fight.
Itauma, an unbeaten British Heavyweight of Nigerian descent, became an ambassador for Logifuture-powered Bet9ja in August this year.
Since then, Bet9ja has been given unprecedented access to Itauma’s camp, including his preparation for his victory over Dillian White, which took his professional record to 13 wins, with 11 by knockout.
Bet9ja x Moses Itauma: The Homecoming is being released in four parts, with the first available on Bet9ja’s YouTube channel today.
Watch: Moses Itauma Homecoming Episode 1 will premiere on YouTube at 10am GMT on Monday, December 1: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Y9Lx9MLlnnA
The series features footage from Itauma’s visit to Lagos, Nigeria in October – a trip supported by Logifuture and Bet9ja.
Arriving on a Bet9ja-branded private jet, Itauma was greeted by fans at Lagos airport, before attending the Bet9ja sponsored Chaos In The Ring boxing event in the city.
The following day saw Itauma join a sparring session with promising boxers at a local boxing gym before attending a Bet9ja retail outlet and hosting a party with notable guests from Nigerian music, arts and politics.
The number of followers across Bet9ja’s social channels have grown more than 10% since the partnership with Itauma was officially announced and now stands at more than 3.1 million.
Itauma is now back in camp preparing to face American opponent Jermain Franklin in Manchester on January 24.
Itauma said: “It was an immensely proud moment to return to the place of my father’s birth and the reception I received from everyone in Lagos was truly humbling.
“I am extremely proud of my heritage and I cannot say enough thanks to everyone for such a warm welcome and messages of support that I will take with me into my next fight in January.”
Bet9ja is powered by Logifuture, a leading provider of iGaming products and services, including Simulate, Zoom Soccer and Swipe Games.
Logifuture CMO Ben Cove said: “We are thrilled to be able to give fans unprecedented access to Moses through the Bet9ja x Moses Itauma: The Homecoming series and contribute to the excitement as he prepares for his next challenge against Jermaine Franklin.
“When we partnered with Moses, we knew we were backing an extraordinary talent destined to make his mark on world boxing. But beyond his ability in the ring, his connection to Nigeria and his pride in that heritage make him a perfect fit for Bet9ja.
“Moses embodies the energy, resilience and ambition that define Nigerian sport and culture. Seeing him return to Lagos and receive such a heartfelt welcome from fans shows exactly why this partnership matters – to him, to Bet9ja and to the millions who follow his journey.
“We’re proud to stand beside Moses as he continues to inspire and build his legacy, both in the ring and across the wider sporting community.”
The post Logifuture-powered Bet9ja releases Moses Itauma mini-series ahead of Jermaine Franklin fight appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
GinjaBet goes live with QTech Games casino content in Nigeria
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Nigerian operator unveils fresh suite of games via new integration with leading emerging-markets aggregator
GinjaBet, a rapidly growing Nigerian operator, is now firmly established with an extensive portfolio of casino content delivered through its integration with QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for emerging markets across Africa.
GinjaBet is a rising-star challenger brand with big plans for the Nigeria market and beyond. As this market coalesces, customers are increasingly demanding experiences that are not only functional but also convenient to use, and personalised to their preferred betting patterns. In this regard, QTech Games and GinjaBet have aligned their complementary skills to deliver a simplified betting experience and optimised user journey across casino, thanks to an adaptable range of content that is both locally authentic and appealing to the next generation of players.
This collaboration will also explore new cross-sell opportunities between sportsbook and casino, with next summer’s football World Cup on the horizon, always a key acquisition and retention driver for global sportsbooks, but above all in Africa where soccer is king.
GinjaBet’s UI has been optimised for mobile-first play, a cornerstone of QTech’s RNG model, which is founded on its fully-owned and customised technical platform, affording operators the fastest integration available, backed by reliable performance and customer support, localised for every region across Africa. By leveraging QTech’s wider global expertise, GinjaBet enjoyed a seamless casino launch, and is now well-positioned to sustain its rapid growth in the near future with a casino product that rides on a scalable and robust framework. This project has also been carefully curated to responsibly track Nigerian player proclivities.
Ekaterina Mayorova, QTech Games’ Head of Region for Africa, said: “We’re thrilled to already be live in Nigeria with GinjaBet, a dynamic brand that is picking up some irresistible momentum in a competitive marketplace. We’re proud to put our shoulder to the wheel of their ambitions, affording GinjaBet the ability to scale their casino content with more localised games and product developments.
“QTech Games has placed a premium on understanding markets at a hyper-local level, alongside bridging that gap between retail and online channels, to open a flexible gateway to success in the Nigerian betting environment. With its mobile-first penetration, comparatively mature smartphone adoption rates and ramping digital economy, Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest economies, and GinjaBet’s recent growth only underscores the opportunity.
“And we have a suite of other product improvements designed to keep our partners ahead of their rivals in a region where no leadership position can be taken for granted. In addition, our proprietary tech means we’re the only aggregator which is not just showcasing fantastic games but also adding engaging features (such as our AI-driven recommendation engine, QTech Play, alongside other tournament and progressive-jackpot elements) to bolster QTech’s vantage point across the African landscape. We’re constantly adding new content to the platform, prioritising suppliers that deliver unique and localised content, including games which solve familiar local challenges to engagement, such as handset quality limitations, restricted access to fast networks, or high data costs.”
Joe Richa, Ginjabet CEO, added: “GinjaBet is committed to a conscious strategy of harnessing world-class technology and local Nigerian culture. This partnership with QTech is an organic extension of that approach across our stunning new casino suite which showcases globally recognised games, ably supported by specialised content, culturally pertinent promotions, and a tone of voice pitched to connect with younger Nigerian demographics.
“We’re a fast-moving Nigerian brand, focused on delivering specialised, reliable, and entertaining gaming experiences tailored to African markets, driving innovation through responsible gaming and operational efficiency. Our dynamic growth since launch in 2025 has already been hugely encouraging, but QTech’s flexible platform ecosystem has now put us in a position where we can plan for the future with confidence across casino and sportsbook, particularly with the World Cup upcoming fast.”
The post GinjaBet goes live with QTech Games casino content in Nigeria appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
Booming Games and SportPesa forge strategic partnership to elevate the African gaming market
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Booming Games is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in its growth journey through a strategic partnership with the leading African operator, SportPesa. This collaboration marks a pivotal step forward in Booming Games’ mission to expand its footprint in the African gaming market.
As a result of this partnership, Booming Games’ high-quality slots are now seamlessly integrated into SportPesa’s platform, enabling players across Africa to access an array of top-performing titles.
Notable games include fan favourites such as ‘Burning Classic’, ‘Gold Gold Gold’, ‘TNT Bonanza’, and ‘Cash Pig’. Additionally, SportPesa’s players will now have access to Booming Games’ diverse portfolio, featuring exciting games like ‘Ronaldinho Spins’, ‘Power of the Vikings’ and ‘Buffalo Hold and Win’.
This collaboration underscores SportPesa’s commitment to growth and innovation, as well as its strategic focus on fostering robust partnerships to achieve new heights in the global gaming industry with partners such as Booming Games.
Solomon Godwin, Head of Africa at Booming Games, expressed his enthusiasm: “We’re delighted to continue our expansion in the African betting markets, and SportPesa’s strong and trusted brand will only enhance these possibilities. Our slot offerings are as wide-ranging as they are high quality, providing exceptional entertainment and sustainability for their customers. We believe we can offer real value to African players.”
Paul Wilson, Senior Product Manager at SportPesa, added: “We are very happy with the new partnership with Booming Games. Offering their immersive, dynamic, and vibrant games to our customers in Kenya, Sportpesa Tanzania, and around the globe on our platform is exciting. Booming Games’ titles will be a great addition to our market-leading casino lobby, and I’m sure our customers will enjoy playing them.”
The post Booming Games and SportPesa forge strategic partnership to elevate the African gaming market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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