From qualifiers to finals, EAFC 25 to Beat Saber, Over R250 000 in prizes and two champions to crown – this is South Africa’s ultimate gaming experience!

South Africa’s biggest gaming tournament is back. The 2025 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience kicks off on 18 May, bringing months of competitive energy, in-centre activations, and serious prize money to malls across the country. This year’s edition raises the stakes with the return of the EAFC 25™ National Football Tournament and the debut of the MTN Beat Saber Challenge – two national titles, one massive celebration of gaming culture.

Over five months, eight Hyprop shopping centres will play host to a mix of online qualifiers and live in-mall events, creating a national stage where gamers of all levels can test their skills, win prizes and join a fast-growing community of South African players. The top contenders will face off in the National Finals at Canal Walk from 17 to 21 September, with R50 000 on the line in the EAFC 25™ Football Final and more prizes up for grabs in the Beat Saber showdown.

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Tournament Dates and Venues:

• Rosebank Mall

Online Qualifier: 18 May | In-Centre Event: 23–25 May

• Somerset Mall

Online Qualifier: 25 May | In-Centre Event: 30 May–1 June

• Woodlands

Online Qualifier: 7 June | In-Centre Event: 13–16 June

• The Glen

Online Qualifier: 22 June | In-Centre Event: 27–29 June

• Table Bay Mall

Online Qualifier: 13 July | In-Centre Event: 18–20 July

• Clearwater Mall

Online Qualifier: 3 August | In-Centre Event: 8–10 August

• Capegate Mall

Online Qualifier: 31 August | In-Centre Event: 5–7 September

• Canal Walk (National Finals & Last Qualifier)

Online Qualifier: 7 September | In-Centre Event: 17–21 September

“The SHIFT Gaming Experience is more than a tournament; it’s where South African gamers show up, show off and celebrate what they love,” says Christie Stanbridge, Brand and Campaigns Marketing Manager at Hyprop. “From football simulations to VR rhythm battles, we’ve created something that speaks to every kind of player. Whether you’re competing or just watching, there’s always something happening.”

The format combines online, and in-person play. Qualify online on the ACGL platform, then take on your opponents in-centre across malls in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria. Each in-mall weekend features the EAFC 25™ tournament, daily Fighting Cups, a PC Gaming Zone powered by PCBuilder, Carry1st COD Mobile and the popular SuperSprint lap challenge presented by the Toyota Gaming Engine.

Gamers can also go head-to-head in Tekken, Street Fighter 6, Brawlhalla, Rocket League, Minecraft and Call of Duty: Mobile, with dozens of R1 000+ gift card prizes on offer each weekend. The Beat Saber Challenge, hosted by MTN and playable both in-mall and on MTN’s Battle+ platform, brings a high-energy VR experience into the mix. Players with the highest Beat Saber scores at each mall qualify for the National Final – and anyone who tries it stands a chance to win a gaming PC worth R50 000.

“We’re creating spaces where South Africans can compete, connect and get rewarded for their passion,” says Jason Probert, General Manager: Digital Services at MTN South Africa. “Whether it’s with Beat Saber or Battle+, we want our community to know that gaming lives here.”

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The SHIFT Gaming Experience also makes space for younger players. Friday events feature tournaments designed for schools and under-18 gamers, offering dedicated Minecraft build challenges, EAFC 25™ scholars only tournament and Rocket League face-offs – all with real prizes.

Content provider with unique subscription-based commercial model adds yet another operator to its line-up of partners in the thriving Dutch market

Cherry Play, the in-demand content provider with a unique subscription-based commercial model that’s taking the market by storm, has added Starcasino to its growing roster of operator partners in the Netherlands.

The partnership builds on the existing relationship between Cherry Play and Starcasino, with the provider’s games already available to the operator’s players in Belgium.

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Under the extended deal, Starcasino players in the Netherlands can now access the provider’s proven classic slot content, including Chef Super Bet, Super Coin and its Golden Cherry Jackpot System, plus its latest releases, Shark Casher and Pirates Player, which launched at the end of April.

Cherry Play builds its slots on cutting-edge technology to provide unrivalled quality for players and a smooth and seamless integration for operators, who can also take advantage of the provider’s unique commercial model.

Instead of the industry-standard revenue share, operators such as Starcasino pay a monthly licence fee to access the provider’s games.

This allows operators to give Cherry Play’s titles much better lobby positioning and increased promotional spend as the operator gets to keep the vast majority of the revenue each title generates.

Cherry Play only made its debut in January last year but has already built huge momentum behind the studio, launching its first run titles and integrating with big-name operators

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Daniela Fricchione, Commercial Account Director at Cherry Play, said: “We are thrilled to have strengthened our relationship with Starcasino beyond Belgium and into the thriving Dutch market, where the operator has built a large and loyal player base seeking the best online slots in the business.

“Cherry Play is here to provide just that, and we are delighted to see our portfolio of games, including our most recent titles, go live to Starcasino players in the Netherlands for the first time.

“It’s also great that the operator can continue to take advantage of our unique subscription-based commercial model, which has worked really well in Belgium, and we expect it to be just as successful for Starcasino in the Netherlands.”

Pieter van den Bos, Director at Starcasino, added: “Cherry Play has proved to be a highly valuable content provider for Starcasino, not just because of its portfolio of great games but also because of its subscription-based commercial model.

“Adding its games to our Dutch casino offering was a no-brainer – they have proved a hit the mark with our players in Belgium, who are just as discerning as our Netherlands player base, so expect them to perform just as well.”

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PopOK Gaming is excited to introduce its newest slot release – Rico DJ!

This high-energy game brings a fresh spin to the popular Rico Series. This time, Rico – everyone’s favorite party-loving lizard – is stepping up as a DJ, dropping beats and lighting up the reels with serious club vibes.

With a unique 3-4-3 layout and 10 fixed paylines, Rico DJ offers a colorful, fast-paced experience. Think neon lights, pulsing music, and non-stop action that keeps players on their toes.

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Here’s what makes Rico DJ a total crowd-pleaser:

• Wild Symbols – Wilds can land anywhere and help complete winning combinations. More chances to win, more reason to celebrate.
• Random Respin Feature – Reels 1 and 3 can suddenly match up with the same symbols, triggering respins that keep going until a win lands. It’s like a surprise drop in the middle of the set.
• Wild Multiplier Feature – Land 4 Wilds on Reel 2, and you unlock a 10x win multiplier – turning up both the heat and the payouts.

Rico DJ brings together PopOK Gaming’s signature style – fun visuals, smooth gameplay, and a story that keeps players coming back for more. With its fresh theme and exciting features, it’s already making waves.

Rico DJ is now live across all PopOK Gaming platforms.