Africa
“Land-based Casinos Should Crisis-proof Their Operations and Diversify Online” – WinPrincess’ Guven Eraslan
After announcing its partnership with WinPrincess, whereby the principal retail casino in Tanzania will be diversifying its operations, incorporating the digital channels to its retail business strategy, leading iGaming platform provider BtoBet meets with Guven Eraslan, Executive Coordinator of the WinPrincess Group, to understand key market traits.
Coming from the casino vertical, do you intend to stick to your core brand strategy or diversify and grasp the opportunity that other verticals keep in hold?
Our core business is the operation of land-based casinos. At heart we are a family owned traditional bricks and mortar company with strong values. But like any other company we need to grow in order to continue to remain relevant.
Therefore, we cannot afford to miss any of the opportunities that lie ahead of us, and our focus will be on all verticals within the iGaming industry. Our mid-term strategy is to be online in all the countries where we operate land-based casinos already. With marketing being key to the success of the online business, we believe that we can create a synergy through our already existing physical presence, knowledge of the culture and manpower on the front.
You have targeted Tanzania for your first expansion to online gambling. Why Tanzania?
Tanzania’s betting industry has more than doubled in the last three years. Moreover three of the fastest growing cities in the world are in Tanzania. Dar Es Salaam has a population of 6.7 million people and is projected to grow by 100% to 13.4 million by 2035.
Apart from this it is important to note that all of the fastest growing 15 cities in the world are found in Africa. We believe that Africa is a safe bet if you need a good start. And that is exactly what we need, if we are to tackle and master diversification within a traditional casino company such as ours.
From a global perspective land-based casinos have been slow to shift or expand their operations to the digital channels, and thus providing a more complete betting experience where all the channels are interlinked. Why do you think is there such a reluctance from retail casino operators to transform their business strategies?
I think people are reluctant to change in general. We are talking about two totally different cultures as well, with the online branch of the business considered as the disruptor in our traditional casino world, where until recently people always needed to be physically present in a brick and mortar casino in order to place their money on bets. Thus there always needed to be a live interaction and it was more like a personal experience.
That is not required anymore, with online casino bringing about a clash of cultures, if you will. Well it is quite clear that it is us, the land-based casino operators, the ones that need to change and adapt. Diversification can only be made in the direction of progress. Business diversification is definitely something that all land-based operators need to address in the short term. We are up to the challenge, and with the right vision and the right partners such as BtoBet we will get there.
The coronavirus pandemic has brought about never before seen measures requiring social distancing. How has this effected the retail casino business?
All but 12 of our casinos are closed at the moment. So we are talking about 20 closed casinos of which we do not know yet when they will be allowed to reopen. The best business model is a crisis-proof one, and there will be a lot of analysis from all industries on how they can achieve this.
Nonetheless I dare say that if we could have achieved a diversification to online more early, and by doing so hedged our investments, we probably would have not been hit as hard.
Do you think that the pandemic will eventually change the players’ behaviour?
We cannot foresee with certainty what the player behaviour will look like after the crisis. People might be more hesitant to go to a casino but on the other hand once normality returns I believe that social interaction will be a key element that will characterize people’s lives.
My guess is that everything will go back to normal once the pandemic is under control. People have a tendency of wanting to forget bad times. After all social interaction is what makes us human, so we will not easily give up on that.
What elements made you choose BtoBet’s Neuron 3 platform as the technological core of your online business?
When I did my own research for iGaming and sports betting platform providers, which are active in Africa it was amazing that under every stone I turned I found BtoBet. When a company of our size wants to go online there is a lot of demand for working with us. And although we had contact with all the main companies in the online gaming business, our decision in the end was quite easy. Knowledge, expertise and trustworthiness are key elements that distinguish BtoBet, and we look forward to work with them on other similar projects.
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7777 gaming has announced an exciting partnership with WA.Technology to expand its footprint across emerging markets in Africa and Latin America. This collaboration combines 7777 gaming’s extensive portfolio of innovative online casino games with WA.Technology’s comprehensive iGaming solutions, tailored to the specific needs of operators in these regions.
WA.Technology is a full-spectrum iGaming provider that offers online casinos, sportsbooks, fantasy sports, and affiliate business solutions. Its expertise spans turnkey solutions and individual products, empowering operators to launch or scale their businesses efficiently in emerging markets.
Elena Shaterova, Chief Commercial Officer at 7777 gaming, said: “The collaboration with WA.Technology is a pivotal step in our expansion strategy for Africa and Latin America. By joining forces with a provider as versatile and innovative as WA.Technology, we aim to deliver premium gaming experiences to operators and players in these growing markets. Together, we’re shaping the future of iGaming in these regions.”
Laura Festen, Director of Casino at WA Technology, highlighted the partnership’s value: “7777 gaming enables operators to launch and scale effectively in competitive global markets by catering to a broad player base with quirky, original concepts. The studio creates captivating and reliable content, positioning it as a versatile choice for operators aiming to expand player engagement. Thus, we are extremely excited about the newly formed partnership.”
7777 gaming’s portfolio includes over 150 titles, spanning multiple genres and formats, designed to deliver diverse and immersive gaming experiences. From fan-favorite slots like Candy Anyways and Medusa The Wild Temple to instant-win games like Mayan Gold and classic table games like European Roulette and Blackjack, the company’s offerings cater to players with varied preferences. All games are supported by HTML5 cross-platform technology, ensuring seamless gameplay across desktop and mobile devices.
The partnership promises to unlock new opportunities for operators in Africa and Latin America, offering them cutting-edge games and technology designed to enhance player experiences and drive growth.
The post 7777 gaming partners with WA.Technology to strengthen presence in Africa and Latin America appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
SCCG Management, a global leader in gaming advisory and consulting, has partnered with iGC Africa to launch the continent’s most significant gaming summit.
This landmark event, taking place from May 26-29, 2025, at the Marrakesh Parc Expo, Circuit International de Marrakesh, Morocco, will bring together industry leaders, innovators and key stakeholders from across the globe. The iGC Africa 2025 Summit is set to be the premier gathering for gaming operators, affiliates, suppliers, investors and media professionals, offering unparalleled networking opportunities and insights into Africa’s rapidly growing iGaming sector.
With over 12,000 attendees, more than 100 speakers, over 400 exhibitors and upwards of 20 networking events spread across 15,000+ square meters, this event will serve as a catalyst for growth and innovation in the African gaming industry.
“iGC Africa 2025 is not just another gaming summit—it’s a movement to open Africa’s iGaming sector to the world. By breaking down barriers and fostering meaningful collaborations, we are creating a future where Africa is a key player in the global gaming industry. This partnership with SCCG Management brings unparalleled expertise to the table, ensuring that this event delivers unmatched value to all participants,” Alexandra Cernescu, Founder & CEO of iGC Africa, said.
“The African gaming market is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing sectors in the world. Our partnership with iGC Africa is a testament to our commitment to supporting operators, technology providers, and investors in unlocking the vast potential of this region. By leveraging our extensive expertise and global network, we are dedicated to making iGC Africa 2025 the most impactful gaming summit the continent has ever seen,” Stephen Crystal, Founder & CEO of SCCG Management, said.
The post SCCG Management Partners with iGC Africa appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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.
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