Africa
PRAGMATIC PLAY EXPANDS SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTPRINT WITH HOLLYWOODBETS DEAL
Pragmatic Play, a leading content provider to the iGaming industry, has extended its reach in the South African market by partnering with premier sports betting operator, Hollywoodbets.
The tier-one deal will see Pragmatic Play supply its complete portfolio of slot games, including its recent release, Barn Festival™, as well as top-performing titles such as Sweet Bonanza™, John Hunter™, Big Bass Bonanza™ and the multi-award-winning hit, Wolf Gold™.
In addition, Pragmatic Play will launch its complete array of scratch card games, giving players an engaging, exciting and comprehensive instant-win selection.
Hollywoodbets has been serving the players of South Africa and beyond for many years and proudly sits at the head of the market, providing a comprehensive sports betting menu, slots, lucky number games, live casino and virtual sports. As such, the new deal enables Pragmatic Play to further its brand exposure in South Africa, generate new leads and empower the operator to gain traction.
Yossi Barzely, Chief Business Development Officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “South Africa, while being well-established, still holds much opportunity for suppliers and partnering with its top operator simply refines that scope. Hollywoodbets is exactly the type of tier-one client we look to, in assisting us with our regional growth ambitions and we’re delighted to partner with them.”
Dermot O’Connell, Hollywoodbets Betting Operations Manager, said: “At Hollywoodbets, we strive to offer our customers premium entertainment and experiences that bring real value, and, in Pragmatic Play, we have found the ideal partner to enhance our existing portfolio of games. With the support of Betting Entertainment Technologies, our betting software provider, this partnership will complement our existing product range, bringing our customers an array of new games.”
Pragmatic Play currently produces up to six new slot titles a month, while also delivering Live Casino and Bingo games as part of its multi-product portfolio, available through one single API.
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Africa
Amusnet Announces Strategic Partnership with Betway
Amusnet has announced a new strategic partnership with Betway in South Africa, one of the leading brands in the industry. This collaboration significantly strengthens the provider’s presence in South Africa, as its top-notch casino content is now live and available on both betway.co.za and Jackpotcity.co.za. Betway is a market leader not only in South Africa, its largest operation, but also across the UK, LATAM, Spain, Italy and other key African markets.
“This project has been a long time in the making – one that required dedication, teamwork, and persistence across every stage, from negotiation to launch. Having our content now on both Betway and JackpotCity in South Africa reinforces our position as a trusted partner and paves the way for even greater growth across the region,” said David McBryne, Senior Commercial Account Manager at Amusnet.
The new collaboration enables Amusnet to showcase its commitment to delivering high-quality entertainment through an exciting selection of titles. South African players can now enjoy slots such as Shining Crown, 40 Burning Hot, 100 Super Hot and Burning Hot 6 Reels. The launch also includes other fan-favourite titles, such as 20 Golden Coins, 100 Bulky Fruits, Candy Palace and the popular Virtual Roulette.
Candy Palace – it provides special features, such as the Toppling Reels, candy-jar multipliers, Free Spins and the chance to win progressive jackpots.
20 Golden Coins – the slot game captivates with its impressive visuals, elegant design and vibrant animations. It features 20 paylines and 5 reels, along with special bonus features such as Bonus Coins and Mystery Nudge.
This strategic partnership is a testament to Amusnet’s commitment to expanding its global footprint in regulated markets. The company is poised to deliver its high-performing portfolio to a broader audience in the African market.
The post Amusnet Announces Strategic Partnership with Betway appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Africa
State of the African Video Game Industry 2026: Xsolla Backs SpielFabrique’s Definitive Market Report
Xsolla today announced its support for State of the African Video Game Industry 2026, a comprehensive new report from SpielFabrique and researcher PhD Prince Oguguo that maps the size, structure, and growth dynamics of Africa’s fast-evolving games ecosystem. The study delivers data-driven insight into developer realities, market infrastructure, monetization trends and strategic recommendations for partners and investors.
Key findings at a glance
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Market size: Africa’s video games industry generated approximately $1.8 billion in revenue in 2024, driven predominantly by mobile gaming (≈90% of the market).
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Growth drivers: A young, mobile-first population, rising smartphone adoption and broader digital services are fueling above-average expansion across the continent.
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Structural challenges: Persistent pain points include payment friction, limited funding, uneven internet and platform infrastructure, and the lack of a unified continental market.
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Diverse ecosystems: The report stresses regional variation — with deep dives into Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco — showing how local payment systems, regulation and culture shape monetization and discoverability.
Why this report matters
“Supporting research like this helps ground industry conversations in real data and lived developer experience,” said Ilayda Bayari, VP of Business Development, MEA + Southern Europe at Xsolla. The report equips publishers, platforms, investors and policy-makers with actionable intelligence to build more sustainable partnerships with African developers.
Focus areas and recommendations
SpielFabrique’s study examines three critical levers for growth:
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Payments & distribution: Local payment methods and mobile money are essential to improve conversion and lifetime value for African titles.
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Funding & infrastructure: Targeted investment and improved developer tools/platforms are needed to scale studios beyond domestic markets.
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Talent & esports: Clearer talent pathways, education programmes and esports ecosystems will strengthen local production and audience engagement.
Regional snapshots
The research highlights how national differences influence outcomes: strong indie scenes in Nigeria and Kenya, established studios and distribution channels in South Africa, and growing developer communities in North African markets such as Egypt and Morocco.
Launch and supporting activity
The State of the African Video Game Industry 2026 report became available on January 29, 2026, and was launched with a coordinated website feature, social media rollout and a post-launch community webinar to share insights and facilitate industry discussion.
Voices from the field
“After more than seven years working alongside African game makers and ecosystem builders, I’m proud to share this comprehensive overview of where the market stands today,” said Pr. Odile Limpach, Co-founder of SpielFabrique. The report aims to catalyze cooperation and make markets more visible — enabling partners to act on opportunities while appreciating local challenges.
The post State of the African Video Game Industry 2026: Xsolla Backs SpielFabrique’s Definitive Market Report appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Accra
Kaizen Gaming Launches Betano in Ghana — 20th Regulated Market & Responsible GameTech Expansion
Kaizen Gaming has officially launched Betano in Ghana, marking the company’s 20th regulated market and its first market entry of 2026.
The launch underscores Kaizen’s global GameTech expansion strategy—rooted in technology, regulatory compliance and responsible operations—bringing safe sportsbook and casino products to Ghana’s fast-growing digital audience.
Official launch and local leadership
A dedicated launch event in Accra brought together Kaizen Gaming leaders—George Skarlatos (Director of Business Development), Daniel Lamberti (Senior Business Development Advisor) and Joseph Owusu Badu (Country Manager, Ghana)—alongside Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo, Acting Commissioner of the Ghana Gaming Commission. The ceremony celebrated market entry and formalized local partnerships designed to ensure a compliant, trusted player experience from day one.
“Ghana is a market with strong long-term potential, an increasingly tech-oriented population, and a clear commitment to building a structured and transparent regulatory environment,” said George Skarlatos. “With responsibility embedded across our technology, processes and operations, we are fully aligned with Ghana’s regulatory framework.”
Acting Commissioner Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo welcomed Betano’s entry, noting the operator’s commitment to player protection, market integrity and adherence to high regulatory standards.
What Betano brings to Ghana: technology, safety, and choice
Betano’s Ghana launch delivers:
- A full responsible gaming framework and local customer protections.
- A technology-first sportsbook and casino platform optimized for mobile and desktop.
- Local operations led by a Ghana-based country manager to support regulatory compliance and customer care.
These features aim to provide Ghanaian players safe, transparent access to licensed online betting and casino entertainment.
Momentum from global recognition and sports partnerships
Kaizen enters Ghana following a standout year of industry awards and partnerships. The operator was named Operator of the Year at both the EGR Operator Awards and the SBC Awards for the second consecutive year, and in 2025 announced a global FIFA partnership for the FIFA Club World Cup. Kaizen also maintains high-profile football partnerships with clubs such as FC Bayern München, Aston Villa FC, FC Porto, Sporting CP, SL Benfica, River Plate and Flamengo, demonstrating the brand’s marketing strength and sports engagement credentials.
Strategic outlook: scaling responsibly in Africa
Ghana’s strong digital uptake and clear regulatory ambitions make it a priority for Kaizen’s global rollout. By centering regulation, local partnerships and responsible-play tools, Kaizen aims to build a scalable, trusted presence in Ghana while contributing to local economic activity and regulated market growth.
The post Kaizen Gaming Launches Betano in Ghana — 20th Regulated Market & Responsible GameTech Expansion appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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