Africa
The Synergy of Esports and Education: Destigmatising Gaming and Unleashing Potential
Esports, once dismissed as a frivolous pastime, has evolved into a dynamic intersection of entertainment, technology, and education. This transformation is not only reshaping perceptions but also providing significant benefits across educational levels. From primary schools to universities, esports offer a unique blend of engagement and learning, preparing learners to be future ready in the 4IR. Esports Educational Specialist, Adam Thomas-James, explores how esports complement education, fostering skills and social connections that are often overlooked in traditional learning environments.
A Gateway to Technology and Coding
For many underprivileged schools, esports serves as an engaging introduction to internet technology and coding. By integrating gaming into the curriculum, schools can captivate students’ interests and channel them into productive avenues. This approach is particularly effective in primary schools, where students are naturally curious and quick to adapt to new technologies. Engaging with esports at a young age not only demystifies technology but also encourages early development of digital literacy skills.
Key Benefits:
- Introduction to Coding: Games often involve programming elements, providing a fun entry point to learning coding.
- Digital Literacy: Students gain familiarity with technology, which is crucial for future academic and career opportunities.
Teamwork and Cognitive Skills
Esports provides an alternative to traditional sports, promoting teamwork, decision-making, problem-solving, sportsmanship, responsibility, and fast reaction times. These skills are vital in both personal and professional settings, making esports a valuable addition to the educational landscape.
Enhancing Cognitive Abilities:
- Problem-Solving: Games frequently present complex challenges that require strategic thinking and quick decision-making.
- Hand-Eye Coordination: Fast-paced gaming improves reaction times and motor skills, translating to better performance in various physical activities.
Social Integration and Leadership
One of the most profound impacts of esports in education is its ability to foster social integration. Gaming bridges gaps across different grades and social backgrounds, creating a common ground for students to connect. Teachers have observed that students who are typically quiet and reserved in the classroom often come alive in an esports environment. These students not only participate actively but also take on leadership roles, showcasing talents and confidence that might otherwise remain hidden.
Social Benefits:
- Friendship Formation: Shared passion for gaming encourages friendships across diverse student groups.
- Leadership Opportunities: Esports provides a platform for students to lead and organise, fostering leadership skills.
An Outlet for Learning Disabilities
Esports can be a powerful tool for students with learning disabilities. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these students can gain new skills and confidence through gaming. The interactive and visual nature of games often aligns well with their learning styles, providing an engaging way to develop various competencies.
Benefits for Learning Disabilities:
- Skill Development: Games can help improve focus, memory, and cognitive skills in a fun, engaging way.
- Confidence Building: Success in gaming can boost self-esteem and encourage further academic participation.
Competitive Growth and Specialisation
As students progress to high school and university, the competitive nature of esports intensifies. High school students begin to compete more seriously, and at the tertiary level, they often specialise in specific gaming titles. This competitive environment not only enhances their gaming skills but also teaches valuable lessons about dedication, perseverance, and goal setting.
Competitive Advantages:
- Skill Specialisation: Students develop expertise in specific games, which can lead to opportunities in professional gaming and related fields.
- Perseverance and Goal Setting: The competitive nature of esports teaches students to set goals, work hard, and handle both success and failure.
Overcoming Obstacles
Despite its many benefits, integrating esports into education is not without challenges. Access to stable internet and uninterrupted power can be significant obstacles, particularly in underprivileged areas. However, innovative solutions such as utilising malls as venues can provide the necessary infrastructure, making esports more accessible to students from informal settlements.
In terms of infrastructure utilisation, malls can offer stable internet and power, creating suitable venues for esports activities. From a spectator perspective, tournaments such as the HYPROP MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience, also offer an opportunity for local businesses and communities to support esports programs, providing resources and facilities.
Esports and education are not mutually exclusive; rather, they complement each other in ways that traditional educational methods may not. By incorporating esports into the educational framework, schools can engage students in meaningful, skill-building activities that foster both personal and academic growth. As we continue to destigmatise gaming, it is essential to recognise and promote the myriad benefits it offers, creating an inclusive, dynamic, and forward-thinking educational environment.
The post The Synergy of Esports and Education: Destigmatising Gaming and Unleashing Potential appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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.
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.
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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