Africa
PRAGMATIC PLAY GOES LIVE WITH SOCCABET IN GHANA
Pragmatic Play, a leading content provider to the iGaming industry, has expanded its presence in Africa by partnering with Soccabet in Ghana.
Soccabet players can now access Pragmatic Play’s extensive portfolio of Slots, including multi-award-winning games such as Sugar Rush™ and Gates of Olympus™, along with player-favourite Live Casino titles such as Sweet Bonanza CandyLand™ and Mega Wheel™.
The deal also includes Pragmatic Play’s suite of Virtual Sports content, which features motor-racing title Force 1™ alongside other popular game themes, including football, horse racing, darts, and greyhound racing.
Focused on growth in regulated markets across the world, Pragmatic Play continues to expand with the leading operators in Africa.
Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “Soccabet is a well-established and respected operator in Ghana, and we are excited to welcome them to our growing customer base on the continent.
“As we expand our presence in regulated markets worldwide, Pragmatic Play is delighted to make our universally popular Slots, Live Casino, and Virtual Sports games available to an even wider audience of players.”
Imad Hawwach, General Manager at Soccabet, said: “We understand that our customers expect the best gaming experience possible, and we believe that Pragmatic Play’s high-quality and diverse portfolio of games will help us deliver just that.
“With their innovative approach to game development and their commitment to providing exceptional entertainment, we are confident that our customers will enjoy playing their games.”
Africa
Next Brazil on the Horizon? SOFTSWISS Unveils South African iGaming Market Overview
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.
Africa
SOFTSWISS Takes Responsible Gaming Award at SiGMA Africa
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.
Africa
EGT Digital took the “Outstanding Contribution to Responsible Gaming of the Year” prize from SiGMA Africa Awards
EGT Digital has been distinguished for its input to the development of the gaming industry by the SIGMA Africa Awards competition. The Bulgarian iGaming provider received the prize in the “Outstanding Contribution to Responsible Gaming of the Year” category at this year’s edition of the event, which was held on March 11.
The recognition is awarded to companies or individuals that stand out with exceptional creativity, innovation and adaptability, which are of crucial importance for the progress of the gambling sector.
“It’s an honor for us to receive this award”, said Tsvetomira Drumeva, Head of Sales at EGT Digital. “We would like to thank everyone who recognized our dedication and constant desire for development. The accolade reaffirms our commitment to fostering a safe, modern, and enjoyable gaming environment and inspires us to continue to maintain and improve it.”
-
Central Europe6 days ago
Sponsors Spotlight: Pixpel Makes Crypto Games Safe and Fun for Players and Developers in Web3
-
Latest News7 days ago
1X2 Network strikes MrQ integration
-
Latest News7 days ago
Stakelogic Bolsters UK Presence with Exciting New Midnite Partnership
-
Industry News7 days ago
Inspired Launches Latest Virtual Sports Games with Planetwin365 in Italy
-
eSports7 days ago
Esports World Cup Adds Five More Game Titles to Summer 2024 Festival
-
Asia4 days ago
Tencent benefits from multiple new game launches on Steam
-
Asia7 days ago
MapleStory Universe Enters into a Strategic Partnership with Avalanche
-
Industry News6 days ago
Entain Appoints Ronald J. Kramer as Independent Non-Executive Director