Gaming Tech Summit Africa (GTSA) brought regulators, policymakers and gaming industry stakeholders to Nairobi on 4 June for its third edition, hosted at the Argyle Grand Hotel.

Organisers positioned the event around the theme “Building Africa’s Sustainable & Scalable Gaming Tech Industry,” with agenda focus areas including taxation, consumer protection, enforcement against illegal operators, and the role of digital payments in fast-growing online betting and gaming markets.

The press release cited market projections that Africa’s online betting and gaming sector could grow from an estimated US$12.7 billion in 2026 to US$19.4 billion by 2030, framing the sector as increasingly relevant to public revenue, investor confidence and regulatory consistency across jurisdictions.

Kenya’s hosting role was highlighted as a key context point, with organisers pointing to its status as a major gaming and digital payments market. The summit also said it was officially endorsed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya.

“Africa’s gaming industry has reached a stage where growth must be matched by responsibility, structure and long-term thinking,” said David Moshi,Managing Director at Velex Advisory. “The value of this summit lies in bringing the right people into one room to have honest conversations about where the industry is headed and what must be done to build a stronger foundation. Our ambition goes beyond hosting a successful summit; it is to support a more connected, transparent and sustainable gaming ecosystem across Africa.”

Companies named as participants included Afitech, 1xBet, BetConstruct, SharpVision, Aviator, BMM Testlabs and Evidentia AI, among others.

The post Gaming Tech Summit Africa convenes regulators and operators in Nairobi appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Yaspa has appointed US fintech and gaming executive Justin Fears as US Director, Enterprise Sales, as the company pushes further into North America. The company said Fears will be based in its Atlanta office and will lead strategic commercial growth across the region.

Yaspa said Fears will focus on working with gaming operators to modernise payment experiences using real-time bank payments and transaction intelligence, and will work with its US and global commercial leadership teams to scale partnerships and adoption.

Fears brings more than 18 years of experience across payments, fintech, SaaS, and AML compliance in the gaming sector, according to Yaspa. His previous roles include senior positions at Kinectify, First Data Corporation, Glory Global Solutions, DiTronics Financial Services, NEXGEN Technology, and CASINOMONEY. Yaspa also noted he is a United States Air Force veteran.

James Neville, CEO of Yaspa, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Justin to the team as we accelerate our footprint in the US market. His deep operational understanding of gaming-focused financial infrastructure, compliance technologies, and enterprise sales leadership makes him an incredible asset. Justin’s appointment further strengthens our local team and underscores our commitment to helping North American operators lower costs, reduce fraud, and elevate the player experience through open banking.”

Fears said: “I’m excited to join Yaspa at such an important stage in the company’s growth journey. The combination of open banking, innovative payment solutions, and intelligent transaction data represents a significant opportunity within the US iGaming market, particularly as operators continue to prioritise player experience, fraud reduction, and payment efficiency. Yaspa has built an innovative platform uniquely positioned to support the evolving needs of regulated operators, and I look forward to helping expand the company’s presence and strategic partnerships across the US.”

Yaspa said it was named winner of the Real-Time Payments Innovation award at the 2025 Payments Awards and was included in the CB Insights Top 100 Fintechs list in the past 12 months. The company also referenced a $12m investment round in July led by Discerning Capital, and said it has opened a new Atlanta office and a tech hub in Leeds, UK, in August 2025.

The post Yaspa hires Justin Fears as US Director, Enterprise Sales appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Xace has appointed Lahcene Merzoug as the first member of its newly formed advisory board, as the firm targets further growth in the regulated iGaming sector.

Merzoug is a multi-entrepreneur and investor in iGaming, including holdings in operators and affiliate businesses. He is also a co-owner of iGaming NEXT and is known as Owner and Chairman of PressEnter Group, a Malta-based casino operator. Xace said he will support the company as it sharpens strategic priorities and expands into key gaming markets.

“Many of the businesses I’m a shareholder in are actually clients of Xace, and I was, and still am, a huge fan of the product long before being asked to join the advisory board,” commented Merzoug. “In a market full of providers trying to force generic financial services onto gaming businesses, Xace stood out as having a roadmap that fits the enterprises I’m involved with and a proposition genuinely built around the realities of this industry.

“The invitation to join the advisory board was an incredibly easy decision to make because I believe in where the brand is going and in the strength of what it offers operators today. Xace is solving real problems for the sector with the right blend of industry understanding, operational practicality and ambition. It’s exactly the kind of company that is shaking up the sector and proving there is a better way to serve it.”

Xace CEO, Megan Easey, said the appointment supports the company’s focus on financial solutions for gaming operators. “Lahcene accepting our offer to join us is a strong endorsement of our approach,” commented Easey. “Xace was created for the gaming industry from day one, not adapted to it, and that really matters when operators need a partner that understands their structure, pace and the realities of operating across multiple jurisdictions.

“As we continue to grow, we’re focusing on making life easier for gaming businesses through strong infrastructure, practical integration capabilities and high-quality support. Bringing in experienced industry leaders like Lahcene is a vital part of that journey and aligns perfectly with the authority, voice, and character we’re delivering to the space.”

Xace said it expects to announce further advisory board appointments “in due course.”

The post Xace names Lahcene Merzoug first member of new advisory board appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.