Connect with us

Africa

SmartSoft’s expertise and future vision for the African market

Published

on

smartsoft’s-expertise-and-future-vision-for-the-african-market
Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

In recent years, the online gaming landscape has witnessed a surge in innovative and engaging titles that capture the interest of players worldwide. Among these, first ever flying crash game by SmartSoft – JetX emerged as a standout game, particularly gaining substantial traction in Africa. This article provides an in-depth examination of JetX, a popular online crash game, and explores the expertise behind its creation. By focusing on the game’s features, the developer SmartSoft Gaming, and insights from an interview with the Vice President Commercial, we aim to highlight the factors contributing to JetX’s success and its impact on the gaming industry.

About SmartSoft Gaming

Founded in Georgia in 2015 by industry experts, SmartSoft set out to create a one-of-a-kind casino games provider that offers high-quality gaming experiences worldwide. By combining interactive features with captivating visuals, we blend gaming and gambling to deliver more engaging, entertaining, and superior experiences. Our mission is not just to attract players but to enhance their enjoyment.

To gain further insights into the development of JetX and the vision behind its creation, we spoke with the Vice President Commercial of SmartSoft.

Rusa Javakhishvili Vice President Commercial of SmartSoft shared insights and analytics from African countries, and outlined future plans. Rusa joined SmartSoft two years ago as Head of Finance and Strategic Projects. In early 2024, she transitioned to the commercial side as Head of Account Management, and is now Vice President of Commercials, overseeing several regions, including Africa.

What was the general concept and inspiration behind JetX?
In recent years, the online gaming landscape has witnessed a surge in innovative and engaging titles that capture the interest of players worldwide. Among these, JetX has emerged as a standout game, particularly gaining substantial traction in Africa. The main concept of the game is that it is easy to play, the player is involved in the decision as much as possible, it is fast and within the fast-paced world we think that it delivers exactly what players need for an enjoyable experience.

How does JetX differentiate itself from other crash games in the market?

At SmartSoft, we appreciate  our relationships with partners, it’s  very important to us. We constantly think and work to create a valuable product and maintain strong connections with them. SmartSoft’s portfolio includes a diverse range of online casino games, each designed to offer unique features and interactive gameplay but JetX is the literal gem!

JetX is an online crash game that combines simplicity with excitement, offering players an engaging betting experience. This dynamic gameplay requires both luck and strategy, appealing to a broad audience seeking quick, high-stakes action. JetX stands out due to its user-friendly interface, real-time gameplay, and mobile compatibility, making it accessible and enjoyable for players on the go. Its growing popularity in Africa can be attributed to its exciting gameplay mechanics and the potential for significant winnings.

What strategies did you employ to ensure JetX appeals to a diverse audience, particularly in Africa?

When we expanded into the African market, we knew it’s a big and diverse region, so it’s important to understand each country individually instead of seeing it as one market. With our partners’ help, we’re working hard to learn about each country’s marketing practices and what types of games people enjoy. It’s a challenging task, but the African market is a top priority for us, and we’ve allocated resources to quickly build our knowledge in this area.

How has JetX been received by African players compared to other regions? Are there any notable differences in player behavior or preferences?

The African market is one of the most interesting and significant  for us, and we believe it has great potential. It is a highly dynamic and exciting market, where players are exposed to a wide variety of games. Their enthusiasm for diverse content gives us inspiration and motivation to create games specifically tailored to their unique preferences and needs. Moreover, they are quick to engage with new releases, eagerly embracing fresh content when it aligns with their tastes and expectations. Although Crash products were introduced only recently, they have quickly become a favorite among consumers. We expect this trend to continue growing.

How do you assess player feedback and incorporate it into ongoing game improvements?
This is a crucial aspect for us. That’s why, in collaboration with our partners, we consistently review key feedback on our games and strive to incorporate it as much as possible into new versions. We strive to bring enjoyment in everything we do – whether it’s in our work environment, or for the end users. Our goal is to delight both the customers and ourselves with our work. Therefore, we integrate gaming’s fun elements into gambling to maximize enjoyment. This approach fuels our drive to innovate and create playful experiences, redefining the gambling industry and making it more entertaining;

What future developments or updates can players expect for JetX?
Our product has undergone numerous changes since its inception, with many more improvements planned. These changes are aimed at delivering the best possible user experience for players while ensuring the product remains of the highest technical quality.

How has the success of JetX influenced SmartSoft’s approach to game development?
JetX, the first Crash game created in 2018, holds a special place as one of the company’s most beloved titles. Its global popularity is evident, and we’re thrilled that players enjoy it. At SmartSoft, having a diversified portfolio is crucial, which is why we release new games every year. As pioneers in the Crash genre, we ensure that we continually expand our offerings. Our goal is to provide players with a wide range of high-quality games they can trust to deliver an enjoyable experience.

The post SmartSoft’s expertise and future vision for the African market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Africa

Sun International Appoints Nthabi Motsoeneng as Chief Marketing Office

Published

on

sun-international-appoints-nthabi-motsoeneng-as-chief-marketing-office

Sun International has announced the appointment of Nthabi Motsoeneng as Chief Marketing Officer. A seasoned marketing leader, she brings over 20 years of experience driving consumer-centric brand strategies across emerging and developed markets.

She joins Sun International from Pernod Ricard, where she served as Chief Marketing Officer for Africa and the Middle East, leading regional marketing strategy and delivering award-winning campaigns and strong commercial results. Her work has earned global recognition at Cannes Lions and the WARC Awards, where she has also served as jury member and jury president.

Prior to Pernod Ricard, Nthabi held senior marketing leadership roles at Tetra Pak as Marketing Director for Southern Africa, and at Kimberly-Clark, Tiger Brands, The Coca-Cola Company, GlaxoSmithKline and SABMiller, building deep expertise across FMCG and global brand environments.

In her new role, effective 1 June 2026, she will lead Sun International’s marketing strategy across the group’s portfolio of urban casinos, resorts, hotels and online platforms, with a focus on strengthening brand equity, deepening customer engagement and supporting growth through the group’s omnichannel ecosystem.

“Nthabi brings extremely relevant experience from lifestyle brands to Sun International and our portfolio of experience‑centric resorts and casinos. Her understanding of how to translate deep consumer insights into actionable marketing initiatives will be critically important as we continue our journey to build a digitally led, market‑leading, omnichannel gaming company of scale,” said Ulrik Bengtsson, Chief Executive.

“Sun International is a truly iconic African business with a rich heritage and tremendous potential. I am thrilled to join the organisation and contribute to shaping the next chapter of growth by building stronger customer connections, elevating our brands, and creating experiences that people will remember and return to,” said Nthabi.

Nthabi joins the leadership team at a critical time as the group accelerates its evolution into a digitally led, omnichannel gaming and hospitality business. She holds a BA in Marketing Communication and Industrial Psychology and is accredited in Lean Six Sigma and Agile Scrum methodologies.

The post Sun International Appoints Nthabi Motsoeneng as Chief Marketing Office appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Africa

Broadway Platform Partners with Ghanaian Operator Afrinova

Published

on

broadway-platform-partners-with-ghanaian-operator-afrinova

Broadway Platform, the all-in-one iGaming platform, has partnered with Ghanaian operator Afrinova as it further expands its footprint in the African continent.

The agreement will see Afrinova’s platform powered by Broadway’s full-service AI-powered product suite, including casino, as well as a complete payment, CRM and risk management solution, as the operator looks to grow its presence in its home market of Ghana.

Ghana, like many regulated African markets, offers significant growth opportunities, with increasing internet penetration, a young population and growing familiarity with betting products.

The Afrinova partnership is the latest commercial agreement secured by Broadway Platform, which has also strengthened its offering after a recent deal with Altenar.

Giorgi Samkharadze, Director of Broadway Platform, said: “Partnering with Afrinova is a really exciting moment for us as we strengthen our presence in one of Africa’s most exciting regulated markets.

“Our commitment to exceptional product delivery is unmatched, and we look forward to powering Afrinova’s market-leading offering for many years to come.”

Imad Hawwach, Managing Director at Afrinova, said: “Broadway Platform’s comprehensive back-end offering allows us to seamlessly deliver a best-in-class experience to our customers across Ghana. It’s an extremely exciting partnership for us, and one that allows us to stand apart from our competitors.”

The post Broadway Platform Partners with Ghanaian Operator Afrinova appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Africa

Amusnet Won Online Slot Supplier of the Year and Reinforced its Long-Term Vision at the iGaming Afrika Summit

Published

on

amusnet-won-online-slot-supplier-of-the-year-and-reinforced-its-long-term-vision-at-the-igaming-afrika-summit

Amusnet arrived at the inaugural iGaming Afrika Summit with a clear position: it was not there to follow Africa’s iGaming growth, but to help shape it. Reinforcing that commitment beyond the exhibition floor, Cameron Green, Country Director South Africa at Amusnet, also joined the conference agenda as a featured speaker, contributing to key discussions around the future development of Africa’s gaming industry.

The company’s strong presence at the event was further recognised with the Online Slot Supplier of the Year award at the iGA Summit Awards, acknowledging Amusnet’s strong performance and growing impact across the African iGaming market.

Beyond the product showcase, Amusnet positioned itself as an active participant in Africa’s regulatory and commercial evolution. Across key markets including South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania, the company worked alongside operators, regulators and industry bodies to support a more structured and sustainable ecosystem.

Green took part in the panel discussion “Developed Markets: Strategies for Growing Africa’s Gaming Industry” alongside Thomas Nsongka, Managing Partner at Lion Bets, David Moshi, Managing Director of Velex Advisory Ltd, and Musa Mngadi, CEO of the African Lotteries & Gaming Association. The session was moderated by Job Weku, Business Development Manager Africa at FAZI Company.

Speaking during the panel, Green highlighted the increasing importance of localisation within African gaming markets.

“In the last 12–18 months, we’ve seen a clear shift from generic global content to locally adapted experiences that actually resonate with African players. It’s no longer enough to just translate a game, you need to localise mechanics, themes, volatility, even how jackpots are presented. The suppliers that understand cultural nuance and player behaviour are the ones driving stronger engagement and better lifetime value,” he said.

Addressing the relationship between operators and suppliers, Green also emphasised the need for stronger strategic alignment across the industry.

“Too many supplier–operator relationships in Africa are still transactional when they should be strategic. The operators winning today are the ones treating suppliers as growth partners, not just content vendors. That means sharing data, aligning on player value, and co-investing in performance. The reality is simple, if both sides aren’t making money sustainably, the partnership will break under pressure,” he noted.

At this year’s showcase, the focus moved beyond volume of content to performance that matters. Amusnet’s portfolio was built to deliver stronger session times, higher engagement, and improved player retention across regulated African markets. Proven titles like Shining Crown and Ca$hybara Ski Edition continued to perform consistently, while newer releases such as Caramelo Sortudo Crash Edition and Crazy Red reflected a sharper alignment with evolving player behaviour.

The Golden Coins Link Jackpot series further reinforced this approach, combining familiar mechanics with scalable jackpot structures that drove repeat play and sustained engagement. But the strategy did not stop online.

In a continent where retail still plays a dominant role, Amusnet’s ability to operate seamlessly across Land-based, Online, and Live casino environments gave operators a tangible edge. From immersive live products like Candy Wheel and Showtime Roulette 500, to Land-based solutions including Type S cabinets and the Amusebox platform, the offering was designed to bridge channels and maximise player value across touchpoints.

This hybrid strength proved particularly relevant in African markets, where infrastructure, regulation, and player habits differ significantly from one jurisdiction to the next.

For operators facing increasing pressure from taxation, compliance and rising acquisition costs, the focus remained straightforward: improving yield per player without increasing risk.

“We see Africa as a long-term build, not a short-term opportunity. Our role is to support regulated growth, build meaningful partnerships, and deliver products that genuinely move the needle for operators in this market,” added Green.

That approach was backed by a commercial model built on alignment. Through data-led optimisation, tailored volatility and rapid localisation, Amusnet worked closely with partners to improve performance at a market level. Co-investment in campaigns and a shared focus on measurable outcomes positioned the company as more than a supplier, but as a contributor to operator growth.

As Africa’s iGaming landscape continued to mature and move towards greater regulation and consolidation, the direction remained clear. Amusnet positioned itself on the right side of that shift: performance-led, locally aligned and built for the long game.

The post Amusnet Won Online Slot Supplier of the Year and Reinforced its Long-Term Vision at the iGaming Afrika Summit appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania