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Youth football and unity take centre stage in Côte d’Ivoire

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Youth football and unity take centre stage in Côte d’Ivoire
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Focus on promoting unity, developing and strengthening football governance

FIFA and CAF presidents visited Côte d’Ivoire to begin two-day itinerary; Focus on promoting unity, developing and strengthening football governance; Continent’s inaugural pan-African inter-school football championship also launched.

The presidents of CAF and FIFA travelled to Côte d’Ivoire on Monday as part of their first joint mission in Africa since the election of Dr Patrice Motsepe as the confederation’s new president in March. Central to their two-day itinerary were meetings with government and football officials, with the focus on promoting unity and serenity, developing and strengthening the country’s football governance and launching the continent’s inaugural pan-African inter-school football championship in Abobo, a municipality just outside the country’s capital Abidjan.

Arriving in Abidjan they were greeted by members of the normalisation committee of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), including President Mariam Dao Gabala, who along with her colleagues has been responsible for bringing football back into play in Côte d’Ivoire.

An official dinner was hosted for the delegation by Ivorian Minister for the Promotion of Youth, Professional Integration and Civic Service, Mamadou Touré, in the presence of Minister for National Education and Literacy, Marietou Koné. Addressing the gathering CAF President Dr Motsepe underlined the unifying power of football being more important than differences between diverse groups of people. He was also keen to highlight CAF’s robust support for the West African nation stating: “Côte d’Ivoire has CAF’s total commitment and 2023’s AFCON here will be the best ever.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino bolstered this message further saying: “We need to work together to make football great and make the millions of passionate fans in Côte d’Ivoire, a country that has won the AFCON twice and will soon host it, happy.”

Present at the event to provide their support for the joint CAF/FIFA mission were CAF’s four vice presidents, presidents of the five CAF zonal unions and presidents from CAF Member Associations in West Africa Football Zone Union B.

This morning, the CAF and FIFA delegation’s focus was on viewing the work of the FIF normalisation ccommittee first hand, in order to understand what had been completed and the challenges it has faced. Addressing the assembled media outside the FIF building Dr Motsepe congratulated President Gabala and her team on their outstanding work and strong commitment to bringing peace and unity back to Ivorian football.

This sentiment was echoed by FIFA President Infantino who underlined the progress the FIF had made, particularly with the organisation of an elective congress, which it hopes to hold by the end of the year. “Côte d’Ivoire has the unwavering support of FIFA,” he said.

The joint delegation then travelled to the Ministry of Sports for a meeting with Minister Claude Paulin Danho. Discussions covered the country’s hosting of next year’s AFCON competition, and improving football governance. Speaking to the minister, Infantino expressed FIFA’s commitment and willingness to work hand in hand with the Ivorian authorities to “reinvigorate Ivorian football, especially given the outstanding talent it has produced. The football legends from Côte d’Ivoire have greatly contributed to building football history in Africa and across the world,” he said.

Ivorian Legends were very much pivotal to talks amongst the three men, with the CAF president reminiscing with Minister Danho about Siaka Tiéné, a young Ivorian player who had been one of his favourites due to his talent and passion, when Dr Motsepe ran South African football club Mamelodi Sundowns, prior to his election as CAF president.

The delegation were then received by the President of Côte d’Ivoire, His Excellency Alassane Ouattara, at the Presidential Palace. During the meeting the joint delegation stressed the outstanding talent in the country and the need to harness this through the development of youth football and CAF’s first ever pan-African inter-school football championship.

Following the discussions with the Ivorian Head of State, Infantino said: “President Ouattara is a great fan of football, so it is an honour to be here today to talk about how we can work together to support the youth of this country through the beautiful game. Côte d’Ivoire is a county with a legacy of talented footballers and many future ones yet to be discovered, so it is important for Africa and the rest of the footballing world that FIFA, CAF and the Ivorian authorities work together to develop the game and elevate it to the highest of heights.”

The final engagement of the day for the CAF/FIFA joint delegation was the launch of the pan-African inter-school football championship in Abobo. Fittingly, a football match featuring mixed teams of schoolchildren kicked off the initiative, with both presidents putting their technical and tactical football skills to the test as team coaches.

Following the match Dr Motsepe announced that the Motsepe Foundation, founded by himself and his wife Precious Moloi-Motsepe, would make a donation of USD $10 million to the ground-breaking new pan-African inter-school football championship, which will take place across the six zonal regions of CAF. After the match, the FIFA President said: “The gesture from the Motsepe Foundation, Patrice and his wife Precious, is exceptional. It’s a step forward for this competition that will give hope and joy to thousands of children in Côte d’Ivoire and throughout Africa who love football. Thank you to the Motsepe family for showing us Ubuntu in action.”

The joint delegation ended their visit to Côte d’Ivoire with a press conference focused on the African league, the development of women’s football, strengthening football governance, this November’s FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar and how to bridge divisions in Ivorian football. Both the CAF and FIFA presidents also outlined the plans to roll out the inaugural pan-African inter-school championship in Côte d’Ivoire to the assembled Ivorian and African media.

Africa

BetConstruct Secures Prestigious Best Online Sportsbook Provider Award at SiGMA Africa 2024

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BetConstruct, a leading force in the online gaming industry, has been awarded the Best Online Sportsbook Provider at the SiGMA Africa Awards 2024. This recognition is a testament to BetConstruct’s commitment to delivering unparalleled sports betting experiences.

The SiGMA Africa Awards 2024 brings together industry leaders and pioneers, recognising those who push the boundaries and contribute significantly to the sector’s advancement.

BetConstruct is transforming the online gaming industry with a focus on customer-centric solutions and consistent excellence. Boasting a wide-ranging portfolio of sports betting and gaming products, BetConstruct is recognised as an essential partner in the global market, dedicated to enhancing both user experience and partner satisfaction. The Best Online Sportsbook Provider award celebrates not just the company’s historical achievements but also its ambitious future endeavours.

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Africa

Next Brazil on the Horizon? SOFTSWISS Unveils South African iGaming Market Overview

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Next Brazil on the Horizon? SOFTSWISS Unveils South African iGaming Market Overview
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South Africa’s iGaming market is on a remarkable growth trajectory, set to reach a total revenue of approximately EUR 64.9 million by 2028. SOFTSWISS, a leading iGaming software provider with 15 years of experience, shares the South African market report at no charge.

In light of the recent acquisition of Turfsport, a leading South African provider of wagering solutions, the SOFTSWISS report offers first-hand practical experience. The piece explores peculiarities distinguishing South Africa, including provincial licensing, sports betting, and gaming preferences.

Provincial Licensing

Online gambling in South Africa is governed by nine provincial regulatory bodies which operate under the National Gambling Board’s framework. Each body is responsible for licensing various gambling activities, including online sports betting, in their provinces. Operators must understand the nuances and explore licensing options within each region’s regulatory framework.

Christian Neuberger, CEO at Turfsport, adds: “While national legislation continues prohibiting interactive gaming nationwide, several provincial gaming boards have taken the initiative in recent years to expand fixed odds betting options. This development has significantly enhanced the appeal of online betting, resulting in a sharp increase in iGaming revenue and the generation of gaming taxes.”

Sports Betting as a Major Driver with High Interest in Esports & Fantasy Sports

Online sports betting remains a major driver of the South African iGaming market. In 2024, this sector’s estimated volume is approximately EUR 24.3 million out of ~EUR 51 million expected for the whole iGaming industry. At the same time, sports betting is experiencing a notable shift in player preferences and market dynamics. For example, the horse racing popularity has decreased slightly, with younger audiences favouring other betting options. However, it remains a valued tradition among older generations and those with discretionary spending power. 

Esports betting and fantasy sports are growing segments within the South African market. According to Statista (2021), 51% of South African survey participants are interested in betting on esports, and 39% express interest in playing fantasy sports for money. In this aspect, South Africa outperforms the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, India, Argentina, Mexico and Denmark.

Gaming Preferences

Regarding content preferences, the recent explosive rise of ‘сrash’ games such as Aviator underscores that the South African audience prefers simplicity and instant gratification. However, traditional casino experiences also remain in demand. Operators have responded by adapting conventional online casino game mechanics to comply with existing sports betting regulations. These numbers-style draw games resemble classic casino offerings but adhere to the legal framework as ‘betting events’.

With the increasing mobile internet penetration, more affordable data packages, and widespread smartphone usage, more people in South Africa are turning to mobile gaming. This trend is particularly noteworthy because most of the population may not have regular computer access. Operators should prioritise mobile compatibility and user-friendly interfaces to reach the audience effectively.

Vitali Matsukevich, COO at SOFTSWISS, comments: “Sharing the SOFTSWISS market report, we emphasise our focus on the South African iGaming market’s potential. With SOFTSWISS’ expertise in iGaming and Turfsport’s local market knowledge, we are set to effectively address the specific needs and opportunities in South Africa. The insights from this report are instrumental in guiding our strategies and ensuring that our solutions are well-aligned with the evolving landscape of South African iGaming.”

Overall, the SOFTSWISS market report offers a comprehensive overview of iGaming in South Africa, from the historical context of industry development to a detailed player profile and local trends. 

 

About SOFTSWISS 

SOFTSWISS is an international tech company supplying software solutions for managing iGaming projects. The expert team, which counts over 2,000 employees, is based in Malta, Poland and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Casino Platform, Game Aggregator, the Affilka affiliate tracking platform, Sportsbook Platform, and Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.

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Africa

SOFTSWISS Takes Responsible Gaming Award at SiGMA Africa

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SOFTSWISS Takes Responsible Gaming Award at SiGMA Africa
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SOFTSWISS, a tech company with over 15+ years of experience in iGaming, celebrates its success at the SiGMA Africa Awards, triumphing in the Responsible Gaming category. 

SOFTSWISS’ ethical philosophy revolves around the “player comes first” principle, meaning the company is committed to responsible gambling practices. This commitment is conveyed through the dedicated departments on two levels, serving the needs of both operators and players.

SOFTSWISS Managed Services stands at the forefront of promoting responsible gaming practices. The department offers a comprehensive range of solutions tailored to act as a reliable bridge between operators and players, guaranteeing a smooth gaming journey. Providing such essential services as First Line Support, Anti-Fraud Support, VIP Player Support, Player Retention and Reactivation, and Content Management, SOFTSWISS Managed Services significantly elevates the growth trajectory of iGaming brands.

During ambiguous situations, dedicated specialists spot technical errors, provide fraud protection for clients, engage with players directly, and find effective resolutions to each unique issue. In 2023, the Anti-Fraud team helped operators save more than 13 million euro. The team effectively handled over 100 thousand different cases and 200 player complaints.

In communication, SOFTSWISS employs a segmented approach, delivering customised content to different player groups and maintaining a personalised send schedule. This strategy minimises unsubscribe rates (around 0.1%) and ensures ethical and friendly communication, fostering a trusting atmosphere with players.

Artyom Rudakov, Head of SOFTSWISS Managed Services, adds: “To make anti-fraud and suspicious activity prevention even more efficient, we are developing a proprietary Risk Scoring Tool, which is set to revolutionise gaming issues identification. The solution does not just analyse but uses machine learning algorithms to intervene proactively, identifying potential problems in real time for a safer gaming environment.”

Constant personnel development and education are a solid basis for ensuring the best industry practices. Over 90% of the Anti-Fraud team hold certificates on responsible gaming from different institutions such as GameCare, Gaming Operations Academy, Sustainable Interaction, and iGaming Academy.

 

About SOFTSWISS 

SOFTSWISS is an international tech company supplying software solutions for managing iGaming projects. The expert team, which counts over 2,000 employees, is based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.

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