Africa

NSoft on iGaming industry in Africa: Raising the stakes in Africa

Published

5 years ago

April 19, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The African continent is the future of the global economy in every aspect and the rising star in the iGaming industry.

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to more than 1 billion people, half of whom will be under 25 years old by 2050. It is a diverse region offering human and natural resources that have the potential to yield inclusive growth in the area, enabling Africans across the continent to live healthier and more prosperous lives.

“Today, we can proudly say that NSoft has a footprint across the globe with 150+ of customers worldwide. NSoft’s rich experience in retail is certainly an important asset for the African markets due to the popularity of land-based betting operators and preferences of its players,” explains Marko Džoić, NSoft’s Regional Sales Manager for the African market.

Africans are very enthusiastic about sports, and the interest in sports betting as well as online games is fast growing with the expansion of mobile internet connectivity. According to recent research on Africa’s betting market, the sports betting industry was estimated to be worth $ 37 billion in 2018 and could reach near $100 billion during this century. Roughly 60 million Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 40 are involved in active sports betting. On average, these punters spend around 3,000 Naira (about $15) every day on bets.

“Despite the issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, most African countries have managed to boost betting worth even in 2020, and that growth will continue this year since we’ll have more sport events combined with much better access to the internet. We are very optimistic, adds Marko.

Opening new markets in Africa

Africa is the rising star in the iGaming industry and a high-growth market for which the understanding of new technologies is essential for future development. Beyond developing games and applications, NSoft must comply with the regulations, tax policy, and follow security protocols. This varies from country to country. The number of African countries adopting a regulatory framework is on the rise, which is crucial to the industry.

“Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa had most of the gambling revenue in the land-based betting business, but due to all of the restrictions caused by lockdowns, now we can clearly see a growth of the online channel. There is an increased number of Africans moving from USSD and SMS betting to standard online betting as we have in markets across Europe and Asia,” stated Marko.

Ethiopia is the largest and most populated country in the Horn of Africa, home to more than 100M people, and it was the next step for NSoft.

Commenting on opening a new market in Ethiopia, Marko adds: “As a result of good market research and recognizing the potential of the Ethiopian market, we signed the first retail agreements in Ethiopia back in September 2019. Since the internet penetration was very low, we focused on the land-based that is supported with our amazing Web-code generated option for boosting retail business. That was the right move to do, and now we see first clients that are going completely online. My colleague Davor Konjevod is leading Ethiopian clients, and currently, we are working on new projects that will definitely establish us there as the market leaders.“

Doing business during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns encouraged NSoft to strengthen its online presence.

Explaining the power of NSoft’s unique retail solutions combined with our online presence, Marko emphasizes: “Today, one year after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global level, we have managed to sign new retail deals in Madagascar, Swaziland, the Central African Republic and South Sudan. Hopefully in June, I will be visiting DR Congo to sign new contracts. All of this is the result of dedicated teamwork between our Sales and Development divisions. We’re working on products that are rising stars in Africa – draw-based games like Lucky 6 and our amazing comprehensive Sportsbook software solution, including Pre-Match Betting and Live Betting.

Marko added that many NSoft’s clients aim to transition from retail to other channels during the collaboration.

“We are making that transition possible. I hope to see very soon the first tickets played in the last few African countries where we don’t have our presence now,” Marko concluded.

Stepping up with satellite stream solution

Africa’s low internet speed coverage represents one of the main issues for betting operators around the continent. This has led to NSoft adjusting its products for the satellite stream solution. The fast delivery of its top tier product, draw-based game Lucky Six, through satellite streaming has made this game now available even in locations with low internet speed and poor connection, such as Africa. This solution is an answer to growing customers needs in retail who are facing troubles with an internet connection. The satellite stream is performed via shared channel and with no additional fee for the satellite steam service. Operators’ investment is at a minimum and only requirements are a satellite dish antenna and a receiver.

Plans for the future – converting land-based to mobile

While the African gambling market was dominated by land-based betting operators so far, the number of online players has been growing quickly with the spread of smartphones and mobile data coverage. One of the pillars of NSoft’s constant progress is listening to our clients, which gives us important feedback and helps us make new better products as well as update existing ones to keep our clients and punters satisfied.

Marko adds: “Clients not only give us their opinion on the products, but they also serve as a bond between NSoft and punters. Where there is a market gap, we are here to listen and develop something new. This was the case with our Lightning games – a new category of virtual games offered in our portfolio. NSoft’s most desirable games Lucky Six and Roulette have been totally revamped and adapted for web and mobile usage. They are easy to play, fast as lightning and provide the possibility for players to win big. More and more Africans are discovering the joys of sports betting on the move and they will surely do the same with online casino games.”

Africa

Gaming Realms Makes South African Debut in Partnership with Hollywoodbets

Published

3 days ago

February 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-realms-makes-south-african-debut-in-partnership-with-hollywoodbets

Gaming Realms, a top supplier of mobile-centric gaming content, has expanded its global presence following its entry into South Africa with prominent operator Hollywoodbets.

Gaming Realms’ varied collection of Slingo games is now accessible to local gamers, featuring titles created through the provider’s distinctive IP and brand collaborations, including Slingo Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania, Slingo Sweet Bonanza, and Slingo Xxxtreme.

Hollywoodbets ranks among South Africa’s biggest betting and gaming brands, featuring both physical and online operations, along with a loyal customer base. The collaboration with Gaming Realms was executed via Hollywoodbets’ regional aggregation partner Light & Wonder.

The collaboration signifies Gaming Realms’ initial venture into the African market, following other recent market entries that have greatly expanded the company’s global presence. The firm is currently operational in more than 30 regulated markets and intends to grow further in 2026, including in Africa.

Gareth Scott, Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Realms, said: “Adding new regulated markets is imperative as we continue to cement our position as a leading supplier of unique and engaging content.

“Entering South Africa together with such a prominent partner as Hollywoodbets is a significant signal of intent and we have great ambitions to make the African region a key focus for Gaming Realms, as it offers great potential and an opportunity to reach completely new audiences.”

Wayde Dorkin, Head of Product at Hollywoodbets, said: “Gaming Realms is a provider that truly brings something unique, and we are excited to be the first operator to introduce Slingo and their wider game portfolio to players in South Africa.

“Their Slingo content appeals to a wide player demographic, blending the best from slots and strategy, and we have already seen it really resonate with our customers.”

The post Gaming Realms Makes South African Debut in Partnership with Hollywoodbets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

Groove Targets Africa’s iGaming Boom at SiGMA Cape Town 2026

Published

4 days ago

February 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

Groove Targets Africa’s iGaming Boom at SiGMA Cape Town 2026 , Groove, the defiantly innovative iGaming platform and aggregator, has confirmed its attendance at next week’s SiGMA Africa Summit in Cape Town, signalling the company’s intent to establish a strong presence in the world’s fastest-growing iGaming market.

Africa’s iGaming sector is expanding at unprecedented speed, and Groove is entering not as a spectator, but as a builder, bringing its signature “Unseen Architecture” approach to scalable, compliance-ready aggregation, combined with a commitment to listening before acting.

Leading the company’s presence at the summit will be Yahale Meltzer, Founder and CEO of Groove, whose vision for the continent extends far beyond content delivery.

“Africa is not an emerging market,” Meltzer said. “It is an emerging universe. You feel it in the numbers, the youngest population on earth, mobile engagement that bypasses desktop entirely, fintech leapfrogging traditional banking in ways the West is only beginning to understand. This is not a place where you parachute in with a European playbook and hope it lands. This is a place that demands listening, adaptation, and genuine partnership.”

At Groove, the founding philosophy has always been about rhythm — the pulse that connects operators, providers, and players in sync with seamless iGaming experiences. Africa’s rhythm, Meltzer notes, is distinct.

“It’s mobile-first, payment-adaptive, and hungry for experiences that feel local, not imported. That’s exactly the kind of challenge our architecture was built to solve.”

The structural advantages driving Africa’s iGaming growth are considerable. The median age in multiple key markets is under twenty, smartphone adoption is climbing rapidly, and over ninety percent of iGaming interactions now occur via mobile, bypassing desktop entirely. Fintech integration, through systems like M-Pesa, has brought millions of previously unbanked players into the ecosystem. Regulatory frameworks are also maturing in markets including Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, offering licensed operators clearer paths to compliance.

For an aggregator like Groove, whose platform delivers over 15,000 games from 150+ providers via a single API, these conditions represent not just opportunity, but alignment.

Groove’s presence in Cape Town is built around four core objectives. First, forging meaningful operator partnerships. The summit gathers Africa’s most ambitious operators alongside global players seeking regional entry, and Groove will showcase localised content packages, mobile-optimised experiences, and payment-agnostic infrastructure designed for African realities.

Second, deepening regional intelligence. Meltzer emphasises: “The regulatory picture in Africa is not a monolith. What works in Lagos requires adaptation in Nairobi, and something entirely different in Johannesburg. You don’t learn those nuances just from a report, even with Groove Command, our data-driven game matching system. You learn them by sitting in the room with the people who live them.”

Third, offering African operators clear pathways to growth. Fourth, positioning for the long term: attendance at SiGMA Africa is not a checkbox exercise — it signals that Groove views the continent as integral to its global strategy.

“We’re not coming to Cape Town to hand out brochures and fly home,” Meltzer said. “We’re coming to listen, to learn, and to find the partners who see what we see: a region on the cusp of something extraordinary. Groove’s job is to provide the infrastructure and games that turn that ‘something’ into sustainable, thrilling player experiences, whether that’s in Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, or beyond.”

He added: “Africa’s rhythm is rising. We’re here to Groove with it.”

The post Groove Targets Africa’s iGaming Boom at SiGMA Cape Town 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

GR8 Tech to Spotlight Platform for Champions During SiGMA Africa 2026

Published

5 days ago

February 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

gr8-tech-to-spotlight-platform-for-champions-during-sigma-africa-2026

GR8 Tech is entering SiGMA Africa 2026 with Platform for Champions—an ecosystem designed for operators who thrive under pressure, grow with precision, and reject anything mediocre. From March 3–5 in Cape Town, the team will be present on the show floor at booth 169, prepared to demonstrate how its platform enables brands to succeed consistently throughout Africa. GR8 Tech has also emerged as a top contender for Best Online Sportsbook Provider at the SiGMA Africa Awards 2026—a acknowledgment that showcases the impact the platform is already making throughout the region.

Live Demonstrations Throughout the Platform for Champions Collection

GR8 Tech will conduct practical demonstrations of Platform for Champions, illustrating how its sportsbook, casino, affiliate, and turnkey solutions collaborate across operator situations, from acquisition to cross-vertical interaction and localization. The complete portfolio will be showcased, featuring Crypto Turnkey, ULTIM8 Sportsbook, Infinite Casino Aggregation, and Aff.Tech, designed to assist teams in launching more quickly and enhancing performance.

Twilight Wine Journey by GR8 Tech

In addition to the conference, GR8 Tech is organizing the Sunset Wine Experience—an exclusive event aimed at fostering engaging discussions with quality wine in a historic venue. The occasion is scheduled for March 4, 2026 (18:30–late) in Stellenbosch at Quoin Rock Wine Estate. To obtain a private invitation, sign up on GR8 Tech’s website.

GR8 Tech CSO Participates in Discussion on Conversion Rates in South Africa

Player acquisition in South Africa is advancing rapidly, making it increasingly difficult to manage CAC effectively. This is the reason Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech, will participate in the essential panel “Player Acquisition in South Africa: What Converts and What Doesn’t” on Thursday, March 5 (14:25–14:50). Marketing executives will analyze what is effective (and what isn’t) in paid media, influencers, retail interactions, and community-driven growth, emphasizing CAC discipline, channel exhaustion, and sustainable conversion tactics in a rapidly mobile environment.

Creating iGaming Leaders in Africa

GR8 Tech will be present at the event to engage with industry leaders, share actionable growth tactics, and showcase how Platform for Champions facilitates intelligent acquisition, enhanced engagement, and scalable operations in competitive settings.

“Across Africa, we’ve already helped operators like Mojabet and BongoBongo accelerate their business: moving faster in-market, sharpening performance, and achieving significant revenue growth,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech. “Now, we’re only pushing harder in the region. So if you’re an operator who wants to perform like a champion, with a platform built for speed, control, and scale, let’s sit down at SiGMA Africa and talk about what winning looks like in your market.”

Meet GR8 Tech at SiGMA Africa 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa (March 3–5), at The Grand Arena at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World. Book a meeting in advance, see the platform in action, and explore what it takes to scale like a champion in one of Africa’s most exciting iGaming hubs.

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