Africa

East Africa’s iGaming Industry A Prime Opportunity For Growth And Expansion

Published

4 years ago

October 29, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

East Africa is one of the regions in Africa that is garnering the most attraction when it comes to the betting and gambling industry. We meet Alessandro Pizzolotto, STM Gaming’s CEO and Certified Partner of BtoBet in Africa what he thinks about the subject and how the region could further evolve in the short to medium term.

Is it your opinion that sports betting is more rampant in Eastern Africa? Why?

There is no doubt that the popularity of sports betting in the whole of Africa derives from the huge popularity of sports across the entire continent. The popularity of sports, especially football, has been further highlighted in recent years with the huge success of African players in major European leagues. One could make reference to Napoli’s strong Senegalese centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, amongst many others.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Nonetheless with numbers at hand, a report published by Dublin based research firm “Research and Report” clearly indicates that the iGaming industry in the Sub-Saharan region is seeing an increase in the number of millenials who make use of mobile phones to place bets. The report states that the eastern region in Africa, with Kenya and Uganda as the primary examples, is at the forefront of the continent’s gambling market.

How did weak laws and regulations offer the perfect environment for the growth of gambling in Eastern Africa?

I wouldn’t state that East African markets are afflicted by weak regulations. The M-Pesa and SMS payments conundrum that resulted in Kenya last year was in effect a demonstration that local regulations do work, and in blocking these vital payment systems to the country’s largest operators the Kenyan government was effectively cutting the operators from millions of customers.

Whilst one can argue to great length regarding the escalating enforcement measures that were introduced by the government, this does not in itself demonstrate a weak regulatory framework that would benefit black or grey markets.

Does East Africa have more nations that participate in sports betting than any other African region?

To understand why the iGaming industry has registered stronger growth in Eastern Africa than in other regions one has to understand the payment gateways and services available, which are fundamental to the industry. East Africa is undoubtedly at the forefront of the entire continent when it comes to payment gateways, especially mobile money. It is a known fact that from a financial inclusion perspective Africa is still lagging behind more established markets, such as Europe.

Yet when it comes to East Africa, the region – with countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda – is a global leader in regards to the highest per capita registered and active mobile money accounts, and volume of mobile money. The region has the fastest growth in mobile money accounts and in each country the number of mobile money accounts surpassed the number of bank accounts.

The phenomenon of mobile money has been ongoing in the East African region since 2007. The roots of mobile money lie in Kenya with the launch of M-Pesa by Vodacom . With the lack of financial infrastructure in the region and the cost of mobile phones dropping rapidly in that same period, mobile money spread quickly through the rest of East Africa.

If one were to compare two leading markets in Africa – Kenya from the East African region and Nigeria from its Western counterpart – one would find huge discrepancies from this perspective. Whilst in Kenya 56% of the population aged over 15 years have an account with a financial institution, on the other hand 73% report having a mobile money account. At the same time the situation cannot be more different in Nigeria, with 39% of the population having an account with a financial institution and only 5.6% having a mobile money account. This obviously has a very strong impact on the iGaming industry.

Nonetheless this situation is set to change in the short to medium term, especially with the continuous expansion of companies such as MTN Africa and Airtel Africa across the whole continent. Such an expansion will pave the way for a true pan-African payment gateway facilitating money transfers, deposits and withdrawals when it comes to the regional iGaming industry.

Africa

SOFTSWISS Set to ‘Grab Success’ at SiGMA Africa 2025

Published

3 days ago

February 20, 2025

George Miller

softswiss-set-to-‘grab-success’-at-sigma-africa-2025

Reading Time: 2 minutes

SOFTSWISS, a global expert with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative iGaming solutions, announces its participation in SiGMA Africa, which will take place in Cape Town on 10–12 March 2025.

SOFTSWISS is bringing its award-winning ‘Grab Success’ creative concept to the expo. This time, it will be visually adapted specifically for the African market, celebrating the continent’s rich heritage and the company’s commitment to empowering operators with the best iGaming solutions.

Olga Resiga, Chief Business Development Officer at SOFTSWISS, commented: “We’re excited to bring our ‘Grab Success’ concept to Africa, showing our dedication to innovation and delivering market-specific solutions. With the massive potential of this fast-growing market, now is the perfect time to explore fresh iGaming collaborations. We are looking forward to engaging with new partners, building meaningful connections, and demonstrating how SOFTSWISS can help enrich the future of iGaming in South Africa.”

Participation in SiGMA Africa 2025 continues SOFTSWISS’ expansion in the South African market. Last year, the company acquired a majority stake in Turfsport, a leading local provider of multichannel wagering software. This partnership resulted in three new product launches in 2024: the Lotto Software, the Retail Betting Solution, and a Horse Racing module integrated into the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook. These new offerings provide operators with flexible and secure tools to enhance their lottery and betting services.

Christian Neuberger, CEO at Turfsport, added: “Our partnership with SOFTSWISS has already shown its tremendous potential through the launch of three new products in 2024. As we continue to work together, we see even bigger opportunities lying ahead. SiGMA Africa will be a great platform to showcase what our collaboration can offer operators in the region.”

Additionally, SOFTSWISS recently released its 2024 iGaming Market Overview: South Africa. The report serves as a comprehensive guide for operators looking to enter this market and understand the region’s unique iGaming landscape.

Visitors are invited to schedule a meeting at Stand 56P to meet the SOFTSWISS team and explore the latest solutions designed for operators in the African iGaming market.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

The post SOFTSWISS Set to ‘Grab Success’ at SiGMA Africa 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Africa

Gamanza Games goes wild in South Africa with 10bet launch

Published

5 days ago

February 18, 2025

George Miller

gamanza-games-goes-wild-in-south-africa-with-10bet-launch

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Gamanza Games has successfully launched in South Africa’s booming iGaming market, enjoying an impressive debut with 10bet, in partnership with leading local aggregator, Intelligent Gaming. A number of Gamanza Games’s top performing arcade casino games were very well received by players, including the innovative aviation crash game, “Air Racer”, and the Swiss game studio’s fast-paced Plinko game, “Plinkoinko”.

The collaboration with Intelligent Gaming marks Gamanza Games’s fifth regulated market entry and a first step towards wider expansion across the African region. Expectations are high for continued growth in the popularity of arcade casino games in Africa, and Gamanza Games aims to be a driving force of further innovation in the space.

Robert Civill, Chief Commercial Officer of Gamanza said of Gamanza Games’s latest market launch: “We are delighted to activate our partnership with Intelligent Gaming and go-live in what I believe to be one of the industry’s most exciting markets right now. We are really proud to launch with a forward-thinking brand like 10bet as well. We share a vision for evolving the online casino experience, through gamification mechanics, and a wide variety of game choice. Our first game releases have landed really well with local players, so the future is bright for us in South Africa!”

Michelle Henriques Colborne, Marketing VP at 10bet South Africa added, “Our commitment to delivering top-notch entertainment to our 10bet bettors in South Africa continues to grow stronger. We are excited to partner with Gamanza in bringing world class entertainment and look forward to what this partnership will bring for our players.”

The post Gamanza Games goes wild in South Africa with 10bet launch appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Africa

The Top 5 Welcome Bonuses South African Online Casino Players Can Look Forward to in February 2025

Published

2 weeks ago

February 12, 2025

George Miller

the-top-5-welcome-bonuses-south-african-online-casino-players-can-look-forward-to-in-february-2025

Reading Time: 2 minutes

South Africa’s online casino industry continues to thrive, boasting an ever-increasing array of high-quality gaming platforms. With many choices available, discerning a quality online casino has never been more crucial. Quality is determined by several factors including game variety, user experience, customer support, security, and especially the value of welcome bonuses offered.

Due to the extensive number of options, using a reputable guide to sift through the wealth of online casinos ensures that players can find the best experiences available. One such critical factor in this selection is the welcome bonus, which significantly enhances the initial gaming experience and boosts players’ chances from their very first deposit.

As the online casino landscape expands, the importance of reliable, knowledgeable guidance in choosing the right casino becomes imperative. www.nodepositcasinos.co.za, a leading portal for online casinos in South Africa, stands out as a prime resource. Our expertise allows us to navigate and recommend top-tier online casinos that promise not only enjoyment but also security and fair play.

This February 2025, www.nodepositcasinos.co.za has carefully selected the top 5 welcome bonuses available to South African players. These bonuses have been chosen based on their value, the quality of the casinos offering them, and their appeal to both new and seasoned players.
Here’s a detailed look at what players can expect:

Springbok Casino
- Welcome Bonus: R500 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: NDC500; R11,500 Welcome Bonus
- Casino Highlights: Springbok Casino, launched in 2012 and licensed by the Government of Curacao, is powered by Realtime Gaming. It is highly popular among South African players for its robust game library including slots, table games, and more. This online gambling site supports gameplay on various devices, offering services in both English and Afrikaans, and all transactions are conveniently listed in ZAR.
Yebo Casino
- Welcome Bonus: R350 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: NEW350; R12,000 Welcome Bonus
- Casino Highlights: Since 2014, Yebo Casino has been a trusted name in the South African market, adorned in the national green and black to resonate with local pride. It offers a comprehensive Realtime Gaming portfolio and exceptional customer service, with a variety of banking options including EasyEFT and cryptocurrencies.
Punt Casino
- Welcome Bonus: R350 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: SAC350; R10,000 Welcome Bonus
- Casino Highlights: Tailored for South African players, Punt Casino offers a vast array of games from Realtime Gaming since its inception in 2017. The site is known for its mobile compatibility and a variety of bonus offers, alongside top-notch security protocols ensuring a safe gaming environment.
Thunderbolt Casino
- Welcome Bonus: R500 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: NDC500; R10,000 Welcome Bonus
- Casino Highlights: With a mascot named Thando the Chameleon, Thunderbolt Casino offers a distinctly South African vibe and a comprehensive suite of real-time gaming titles. Players can enjoy a variety of bonuses and promotions, accessible via both desktop and mobile platforms.
Silversands Casino
- Welcome Bonus: R400 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: NDC400; R10,000 Welcome Bonus
- Casino Highlights: Established in 1999, Silversands Casino stands as one of the oldest and most respected online casinos in South Africa. The platform features a full range of Realtime Gaming slots and table games, with robust security measures in place to ensure a secure and fair gaming experience.