Africa
MERKUR sun shines over the roof of Africa
Gauselmann employees from Serbia climb Kilimanjaro
To experience the sunrise from the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro: this was the goal of four employees from Gauselmann subsidiary MERKUR Games d.o.o., which consolidates the Group’s activities in Serbia. During a six-day expedition, together with ten other adventurers, they climbed the highest mountain on the African continent – to be rewarded with a breathtaking view from Uhuru Peak, at 5,895 metres above sea level.
“It was an incredible battle of wills, with the forces of nature, patience and our own endurance,” says Branko Kokir, Managing Director at MERKUR Games d.o.o. and initiator of the expedition, looking back on the feat. Climbing for six to eight hours, the team covered ten kilometres on foot and overcame a difference in altitude of 1,000 metres each day. From grasslands, alpine meadows and tropical rainforests, moorlands and desert plateaus, to snow- and ice-covered regions: day by day, the team pressed onward through different climatic zones in their quest to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. At an altitude of 4,700 metres above sea level, the adventurers set off on the final leg: the ascent to Uhuru Peak. In the final nighttime push, the team covered 5.8 kilometres in 7.5 hours before reaching the cross on the summit in time for sunrise just before 7 a.m. and proudly displaying a flag with the MERKUR sun symbol over Uhuru Peak.
A cameraman who documented the expedition with his camera and interviews was also part of the 14-member team. The material is being broadcast in six 30-minute episodes on “Sport Klub”, the leading sports channel in the Balkans. The MERKUR sun also features as a faithful companion on the trek to Africa’s highest peak: during the entire journey, the team members wore T-shirts, sew-on badges, caps and carried flags. The local population was thrilled to be given T-shirts and footballs with the MERKUR sun as a gift from the Gauselmann Group. “Climbing Kilimanjaro is a remarkable feat of will. I am immensely proud that our Serbian employees took the MERKUR sun along for the trip and shone it over the roof of Africa,” says company founder and Chairman of the Management Board Paul Gauselmann.
The Gauselmann Group is represented in Serbia by its MERKUR Games d.o.o. subsidiary. The company opened the first gaming arcade there in 2012 under the MERKUR Automat Klub brand. In 2017, business activities in the Serbian market were systematically expanded through strategic partnerships. With a 50 per cent equity holding respectively in the two companies Balkan Bet and MERKUR Xtip, the Gauselmann Group is optimally positioned with some 140 land-based venues as well as online in the Serbian Republic.
Powered by WPeMatico
SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, proudly announces the launch of its major South African project with Mzansibet. It marks the first project in the country to utilise both the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook and the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform.
According to the recently released South Africa: iGaming Market Overview 2025 by SOFTSWISS, the country’s iGaming sector is growing at an impressive annual rate of 20–25%, driven by increasing mobile penetration. In line with this trend and evolving player needs, SOFTSWISS strongly focuses on mobile optimisation across its platforms, enabling seamless and enjoyable gaming experiences for Mzansibet players.
The launch in South Africa, ensuring full compliance with local technical standards, required meticulous preparation. SOFTSWISS products – including its sports betting software and online casino platform – underwent rigorous certification with Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), one of the most reputable and globally recognised independent testing laboratories in the iGaming industry. Following this process, the solutions were officially approved for local operation by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board – a respected and influential regulator in the region – affirming the high quality and compliance of SOFTSWISS software.
Max Trafimovich, International Non-Executive Director at SOFTSWISS, shares: “Mzansibet entered the market with a bold ambition to become a top-tier brand – and we are not only proud to support that vision from day one, but also well-equipped to ensure its sustainable growth. Leveraging our global and local expertise, we provide the technical, business, and service tools necessary for a smooth launch and scalable development. This is made possible thanks to our robust and stable architecture with 99.999% uptime and a flexible platform ecosystem. In addition, the brand launched a nationwide TV advertising campaign and has already attracted tens of thousands of players across the country – a powerful testament to its growing presence and trust.”
In addition to backend certification, the SOFTSWISS team invested heavily in frontend localisation to align with the partner’s vision and market requirements. The Mzansibet project has been fully adapted to meet South African player behaviour and betting patterns.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 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 counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Launches First South African Project with Mzansibet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Rise & Hustle, Africa’s next-gen tap-to-earn gaming operator, has launched its reward-based mobile street game series in the Nigerian market. Running on its proprietary platform, Rise & Hustle gives players the opportunity to rise from Hustler to Kingpin, earning Bucks during the grind to unlock real-world rewards.
Created for Africa’s mobile-first generation, Rise & Hustle enables taps and achievements to be redeemed for mobile airtime, tangible rewards & Rise Tokens – all without spending a cent. The portfolio of free-to-play games and lottery products is designed in-house, giving Rise & Hustle the ability to deliver energetic and competitive experiences that appeal to players.
The company was co-founded by Anthony Broadhurst, a key player in Africa’s gaming and crypto world, and Josh Jones, an experienced iGaming entrepreneur with a stellar record of building successful platforms.
Rise Tokens are crypto-backed rewards on the Binance Smart Chain and power a real economy that rewards loyalty. Squads and community are central to gameplay with leaderboards, status, and real-time tournaments making each session count.
Embracing AI technology, local partnerships, and sharp design, Rise & Hustle is on the path to becoming Africa’s most culturally relevant gaming operator. A full Real Money Gaming offering is due for launch imminently.
Beyond Nigeria, expansion plans include Kenya and Ghana, with launches scheduled for completion by the close of 2025. As Rise & Hustle scales, it will strengthen collaborations with mobile networks, pioneering brands, and influencers to accelerate mass adoption. With its bold brand, crypto-powered rewards, and laser focus on mobile-first entertainment, Rise & Hustle’s platform is the future.
Rise & Hustle CEO and co-founder Josh Jones commented: “Rise & Hustle is flipping the script on how value is created for an entire generation’s time and talent spent on mobile games. We’re here to turn everyday entertainment into real-world rewards. This isn’t just a game – we’re building a cultural movement where players grind together to reach the top through ambition and hustle.”
The post Rise & Hustle launches tap-to-earn street game platform in Nigeria with real-world rewards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
Shaden Dre Shabalala (Captain of the MSSA Protea Esports Team for MLBB) will lead his brave, and dedicated, team against Madagascar on 23 July 2025 at 19H00)
With the South African Protea Esports Team for the Mobile Legends Bang Bang title having laid waste to all its opponents in its group (Namibia and Congo), the Proteas now have to do battle against Madagascar.
Madagascar has also won all its matches in its group having beaten both Mauritius and Zimbabwe.
Thus to see which country earns its place to represent Southern Africa at the prestigious IESF World Esports Championships – WEC25 – the two titans will meet on the field of battle.
The winner of this clash on 23 July 2025 will see only one country emerge to represent Southern Africa at IESF’s WEC25.
Thus, there is much at stake, honour, prestige, and a nation’s pride!
The match is a thrilling best-of-five games in which, all MSSA is confident that the Proteas will emerge victorious!
As usual the dedicated team from Waylander Gaming will stream the match on https://youtube.com/@waylander_gaming at 19H00.
The battle hardened veteran team of Protea athletes for the Mobile Legends Bang Bang esports title are:
| Name | Club | Nick | Province |
| Shaden Dre Shabalala (Capt.) | King of the Hill | SUPER Shady | Gauteng |
| Mogamat Junaid Ismail | King of the Hill | JụjuMC.♡ | Western Cape |
| Slindokuhle Ndlovu | King of the Hill | lindo | Gauteng |
| Umer Ali Khan | King of the Hill | VeloTzy. | Gauteng |
| Schalk Rademeyer | Paradox | SUPER Light | Eastern Cape |
The post Shaden Dre Shabalala (Captain of the MSSA Protea Esports Team for MLBB) will lead his brave, and dedicated, team against Madagascar on 23 July 2025 at 19H00) appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
AGLC6 days agoAGLC Announces New Board Chair
-
Australia5 days ago
BetMakers Partners with The Bookie Group
-
Compliance Updates5 days ago
Oddin.gg Officially Registered with LOTBA as a Supplier in the City of Buenos Aires
-
Africa6 days ago
SOFTSWISS Launches First South African Project with Mzansibet
-
Asia6 days ago
NODWIN Gaming Partners with Sony LIV for Streaming Rights of Esports World Cup 2025
-
BETesporte5 days ago
Sportradar Launches AI-Driven “Bettor Sense” to Support Responsible Gambling
-
188BET4 days agoCyberArena Officially Rebrands from 188BET to taptap
-
Adam Packer6 days ago
PrizePicks Secures Gaming Licenses in Puerto Rico and Maine
