Africa
East Africa’s iGaming Industry A Prime Opportunity For Growth And Expansion
East Africa is one of the regions in Africa that is garnering the most attraction when it comes to the betting and gambling industry. We meet Alessandro Pizzolotto, STM Gaming’s CEO and Certified Partner of BtoBet in Africa what he thinks about the subject and how the region could further evolve in the short to medium term.
Is it your opinion that sports betting is more rampant in Eastern Africa? Why?
There is no doubt that the popularity of sports betting in the whole of Africa derives from the huge popularity of sports across the entire continent. The popularity of sports, especially football, has been further highlighted in recent years with the huge success of African players in major European leagues. One could make reference to Napoli’s strong Senegalese centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, amongst many others.
Nonetheless with numbers at hand, a report published by Dublin based research firm “Research and Report” clearly indicates that the iGaming industry in the Sub-Saharan region is seeing an increase in the number of millenials who make use of mobile phones to place bets. The report states that the eastern region in Africa, with Kenya and Uganda as the primary examples, is at the forefront of the continent’s gambling market.
How did weak laws and regulations offer the perfect environment for the growth of gambling in Eastern Africa?
I wouldn’t state that East African markets are afflicted by weak regulations. The M-Pesa and SMS payments conundrum that resulted in Kenya last year was in effect a demonstration that local regulations do work, and in blocking these vital payment systems to the country’s largest operators the Kenyan government was effectively cutting the operators from millions of customers.
Whilst one can argue to great length regarding the escalating enforcement measures that were introduced by the government, this does not in itself demonstrate a weak regulatory framework that would benefit black or grey markets.
Does East Africa have more nations that participate in sports betting than any other African region?
To understand why the iGaming industry has registered stronger growth in Eastern Africa than in other regions one has to understand the payment gateways and services available, which are fundamental to the industry. East Africa is undoubtedly at the forefront of the entire continent when it comes to payment gateways, especially mobile money. It is a known fact that from a financial inclusion perspective Africa is still lagging behind more established markets, such as Europe.
Yet when it comes to East Africa, the region – with countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda – is a global leader in regards to the highest per capita registered and active mobile money accounts, and volume of mobile money. The region has the fastest growth in mobile money accounts and in each country the number of mobile money accounts surpassed the number of bank accounts.
The phenomenon of mobile money has been ongoing in the East African region since 2007. The roots of mobile money lie in Kenya with the launch of M-Pesa by Vodacom . With the lack of financial infrastructure in the region and the cost of mobile phones dropping rapidly in that same period, mobile money spread quickly through the rest of East Africa.
If one were to compare two leading markets in Africa – Kenya from the East African region and Nigeria from its Western counterpart – one would find huge discrepancies from this perspective. Whilst in Kenya 56% of the population aged over 15 years have an account with a financial institution, on the other hand 73% report having a mobile money account. At the same time the situation cannot be more different in Nigeria, with 39% of the population having an account with a financial institution and only 5.6% having a mobile money account. This obviously has a very strong impact on the iGaming industry.
Nonetheless this situation is set to change in the short to medium term, especially with the continuous expansion of companies such as MTN Africa and Airtel Africa across the whole continent. Such an expansion will pave the way for a true pan-African payment gateway facilitating money transfers, deposits and withdrawals when it comes to the regional iGaming industry.
Africa
SYNOT Games Partners with Aardvark Technologies

In a strategic initiative aimed at expanding its influence in regulated African markets, SYNOT Games, a leading developer of online casino games, has announced a partnership with Aardvark Technologies, one solution provider for online and retail iGaming. This collaboration positions Aardvark as a primary aggregation partner for SYNOT Games, enhancing the company’s footprint in rapidly evolving markets across the African continent.
The partnership builds upon an already successful history between the two companies, which has enabled SYNOT Games to establish a foothold in African markets. With this formalised integration, the two sides will combine forces to navigate the continent’s complex regulatory landscape, leveraging Aardvark’s operational acumen and advanced omnichannel platform to drive distribution and growth.
“Our collaboration with Aardvark Technologies marks a pivotal step in SYNOT Games’ long-term strategy to become a leading force in regulated African markets,” said Martina Krajčí, Chief Commercial Officer at SYNOT Games.
“Aardvark effortlessly connects mobile, web, and retail channels, and their deep understanding of the varying legislation across different areas truly makes them a fantastic partner. Here at SYNOT Games, we’re dedicated to providing transparent, compliant, and player-focused content in every market we enter,” she added.
Aardvark Technologies, headquartered in Lithuania, has emerged as a key SaaS provider for gaming operators, known for its scalable transaction engine and intuitive management systems. The company’s technology stack empowers operators to manage multi-channel gaming operations with precision and agility. These capabilities are crucial for success in diverse regulatory environments such as those found across Africa.
“We are pleased to formalize our collaboration with SYNOT Games,” said Arijus Denisovas, spokesperson for Aardvark Technologies.
“SYNOT’s impressive portfolio, combined with its strong commitment to regulated markets, aligns with our mission of providing top-notch gaming content via secure, trusted, and locally tailored infrastructure. Together, we’re raising the bar for responsible gaming in Africa.”
The African iGaming sector, though highly fragmented, is widely regarded as one of the most promising emerging regions globally, driven by mobile-first consumer behaviour, rising internet penetration and evolving legislative frameworks. By uniting SYNOT Games’ growing library of certified titles with Aardvark’s aggregation and compliance tools, the partnership is poised to unlock new levels of accessibility and engagement for operators and players alike.
Both companies emphasize the importance of regulatory alignment and ethical gaming practices. SYNOT Games operates exclusively in regulated markets, prioritising player protection, data integrity and the transparency of its offerings. The company’s products are certified across multiple jurisdictions and supported by a robust compliance infrastructure.
The post SYNOT Games Partners with Aardvark Technologies appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
World Sports Betting Partners with Comrades Marathon Association

World Sports Betting has become the Official Sports Betting Partner of the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA).
South Africa’s premier online sports betting platform has signed a three-year deal with the Comrades Marathon, kicking off now with the 2025 event and running through to the 2027 event, which will be the 100th edition of the Ultimate Human Race.
World Sports Betting was founded in 2002 and has been at the forefront of South African sports betting over the last decade. As the country’s premier online sports book, it offers a friendly, fast and secure online sports betting experience, with innovative markets tailored for its South African clients.
As part of its involvement at Comrades, World Sports Betting will help to place an even bigger focus on the world-class elite athletes that grace this world-famous ultramarathon. The World Sports Betting team will also be creating a vibe for runners in Westville, with a route activation about 15km to go from the finish. Traditionally, this is a point of the race that many runners need as much support as possible to keep tired legs going, and the vibrant support of this activation will help the runners go all in with their push for the finish.
“World Sports Betting is extremely proud to sponsor this landmark event. As a proudly South African brand, it’s important for us to align with local sporting events that not only showcase exceptional talent, but also reflect the rich spirit, diversity, and heritage of our vibrant country. We believe in backing platforms that unite communities, celebrate local excellence, and inspire the next generation of champions,” said Ryno Du Plessis, Chief Operating Officer at World Sports Betting.
CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo said: “We are pleased to welcome World Sports Betting as the Official Sports Betting Partner to the Comrades Marathon. They will not only add immense value to our race-day activations, but their commitment to supporting iconic events aligns perfectly with the spirit of our ultramarathon. This partnership will undoubtedly enhance the experience for our runners and spectators alike, and we look forward to a successful collaboration that supports our athletes in achieving their goals.”
The 98th Comrades Marathon will be run on Sunday, 8 June 2025.
The post World Sports Betting Partners with Comrades Marathon Association appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
SOFTSWISS Steps Onto The South African Tech Stage

SOFTSWISS, a global provider of iGaming software solutions, is making its first major public tech debut in South Africa as a proud partner of Africa Tech Week 2025, taking place in Cape Town from 3 – 4 June. Recognised as a leader in iGaming software solutions development, SOFTSWISS will also feature prominently on the speaker line-up, with its Deputy Chief Security Officer, Artem Bychkov, taking the stage as a key voice in the greater cybersecurity conversation.
Africa Tech Week has become one of the continent’s premier events for digital transformation, spotlighting cutting-edge technologies, global thought leaders, and the next wave of innovation shaping Africa’s future. With industry giants, trailblazers, and policymakers converging from across the world, this year’s event promises to set the tone for the continent’s tech agenda.
“Africa Tech Week isn’t just a tech event – it’s a catalyst for digital innovation and cross-continental collaboration,” says Bychkov. “We’re proud to be part of this vibrant ecosystem as it pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in Africa’s digital economy. I look forward to engaging with experts from around the world and sharing my experience in building strong defences against cyber risks.”
While SOFTSWISS sets the bar globally for iGaming technology and its sustainable usage, the company’s Africa strategy will see it focus strongly on expanding local partnerships, contributing to digital resilience, and promoting best practices in fields ranging from cybersecurity to responsible practices in iGaming.
This marks a focused approach in South Africa for the award-winning technology company, as it explores new opportunities and local collaborations. Bychkov’s keynote will focus on the shifting security landscape in emerging tech markets and how businesses can prepare for current and future digital risks.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 30,000 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Steps Onto The South African Tech Stage appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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