Leading distributor for emerging markets announces the appointment of its new business lead to drive African sales

QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for all emerging markets, has appointed Ekaterina Mayorova to the new role of Sales & Account Manager for Africa & Eastern Europe, as it bids to consolidate its existing presence across Europe and, in particular, drive new revenue streams across Africa’s evolving landscape.

Ekaterina arrives at QTech Games after successful stints at Trustly and, most recently, PandaScore where she respectively proved herself in both account management and senior business development roles. Now Ekaterina brings those talents to bear at the industry’s leading aggregator for developing markets, where she will be responsible for managing QTech’s existing partners in Africa and Eastern Europe – spearheading that progressive expansion into Africa’s diverse patchwork quilt of territories.

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QTech Games CEO, Philip Doftvik, said: “We’re delighted to now have Ekaterina at QTech Games where she has hit the ground running and proved herself a quick study. Her extensive experience and network in our targeted territories is already serving us well, especially as we broaden our existing influence across Africa.

“She’ll be a true asset to both QTech and all our clients, as we grow in Africa to make it a substantial part of our total revenue mix. We have high growth hopes for the region in the coming years and we want to dominate by building a strong brand in the region.”

Ekaterina Mayorova added: “I’m thrilled to be underway at QTech Games, a company with the most customizable content suite and focus on emerging markets. Beyond that, I’ve already found a cohesive and collaborative structure with an organisational culture to match – I think the team is fantastic!

“Having worked across iGaming, esports, and fintech, I’m thrilled to take on this new opportunity—bringing innovative gaming solutions to some of the most dynamic and fast-growing markets. Africa holds a special place in my career journey, and I’m looking forward to deepening partnerships, driving growth, and collaborating with forward-thinking operators and platforms in the region.”

QTech Hybrid – join Ekaterina and the team in Ghana to find out more!
QTech Hybrid will next be showcased at the upcoming SBWA+ show in Ghana in August, where QTech Games delegates will be on site to unpack its breakout technology and salient applications for joining up the retail and digital-mobile experience.

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QTech Hybrid is a software service that joins up QTech Games’ AI-powered casino lobby (a leading game-personalisation engine known as QTech Play) to a land-based (retail) management system and a state-of-the-art integrated AMS (Agent Management System) to manage both retail outlets and agents. This allows operators to scale their brick-and-mortar operation online. QTech Hybrid simplifies transactions by enabling deposits, withdrawals, and gameplay while allowing access to players both in-store and on personal devices.

For the player, the net result is that they can now enjoy all the games from the comfort of their own home, or on the move. For the operator, there is no need for expensive terminals, as QTech Hybrid runs on cost-effective computers/tablets. In short, it’s ideal for operators looking to extend their reach across multiple platforms, providing the flexibility to operate both land-based and online through the AMS.

Since its inception on June 23, 2020, the ANJ has focused on implementing regulations that combine support and oversight with the aim of better protecting players. The first regulatory cycle laid the foundations for the toolbox provided for by the Pacte law and the 2019 ordinance, and its adoption by the regulator and operators. 

Substantial progress has been made by operators to meet their obligations regarding the prevention of excessive gambling and the fight against money laundering; these efforts are beginning to be measured in the action plans examined by the ANJ, notably by more excessive gamblers identified. Operators now appear to have better integrated the regulatory framework and, in particular, the objective of reducing excessive gamblers in their customer base. Two decisions of the Council of State have also confirmed the power to supervise the gaming offer and the promotional strategy of monopolies mobilized by the ANJ to protect players and combat excessive gambling .

On the repressive side, the policy of controls and sanctions was affirmed in 2024 with 9 sanctions imposed, some with significant amounts of up to €150,000. Regarding excessive gambling, the ANJ sanctions commission issued a public sanction of €800,000 in January 2025. This decision, unprecedented in the amount of the sanction and its public nature, initiates a new cycle and constitutes an important signal to the entire market.

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The fight against illegal supply was finally significantly strengthened in 2024, with 1,335 URLs blocked, 231 administrative actions, and the activation of new levers such as the initiation of financial flow blocking. This action is particularly important since illegal supply is widely used by high-risk players.

However, the risk of excessive gambling is not yet fully under control. The voluntary ban file, for example, is seeing its registrations grow by 20% per year and currently numbers 85,000 people, compared to 40,000 in 2021.

Therefore, in 2024, for its second regulatory cycle covering the years 2024-2026, the ANJ wished to set as the central pivot of its strategic plan the effective reduction of excessive gambling over three years. This objective must necessarily result in a reorientation of the sector’s economic model towards less intensive gambling and less focused on high-risk players. 

To make progress on this issue, which concerns all stakeholders, the ANJ is organizing a symposium on gambling addiction on June 27 at the Senate.  The aim is to take stock of the obligation to identify and support excessive gamblers, which has been imposed on economic actors since 2019 and which mobilizes public policies, and to debate the improvements to be made. A comparative approach and cross-examinations will allow for a perspective on best practices and trajectories to be followed.

Better coordination between the various stakeholders and, where appropriate, an adaptation of the regulatory framework could be proposed. 

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For Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin: “Driven by a very dynamic market that has been fostered by digitalization, gambling, which is not a product like any other, has nevertheless become a common consumer product. The objective of reducing excessive gambling set by the ANJ must now translate into an obligation of results that involves reducing the number of excessive gamblers and their contribution to the revenues of gambling operators. More broadly, the fight against gambling addiction requires going beyond sectoral considerations and considering the more global and societal dimension of the phenomenon, which concerns operators, public authorities, the regulator, associations, educators, parents, etc.”

Source: ANJ

Nick Rust has announced that he will be stepping down as Chair of the UK Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) Industry Forum when his agreed two-year term comes to an end in November.

Nick has been instrumental in the creation and development of the Forum, working closely with the Commission to ensure that the voices and expertise of industry stakeholders are heard and reflected in its work. His leadership has helped establish the Forum as a vital part of the Commission’s wider engagement and governance structure.

Nick said: “It’s been a privilege to Chair the Industry Forum and help the Commission’s Executives and Board to gain insights on policy and operational performance from an industry perspective. I’m pleased with the work the Forum has delivered and believe it has helped the Commission better understand the implications of its existing and planned policies for consumers and industry operators.

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“I’d like to thank my fellow Forum members for their work and also the Gambling Commission team who support the Forum. I look forward to seeing how the Industry Forum continues to support the Commission to achieve its regulatory aims.”

Helen Child, Head of Governance at UKGC, said: “Nick has been instrumental in the creation of the Forum, helping to develop and embed it into the Commission’s expert groups. I have very much enjoyed working with him as we established the Forum, and I would like to thank Nick for his hard work in getting the group to this point. We wish him well for the future.”

Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of UKGC, said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with both Nick and the Forum over the last two years. Nick has been such a valuable sounding board, a constant fount of knowledge and insight and a great support to me personally.”

“A new Chair will be appointed in due course, with further updates to follow. We are grateful to Nick for his significant contribution and continued support during the transition,” the Commission said.