Africa
1/ST CONTENT widens its Southern African scope via sublicensing deal with 4Racing
1/ST CONTENT – the leading provider of premium content for North American horse racing and a key division of 1/ST RACING, the biggest racing company in the Americas – has broadened its growing international footprint with the announcement of a progressive sublicense agreement with South African rights holder, 4Racing.
This multi-year deal revolves around commingling and fixed-odds betting for 1/ST CONTENT’s leading portfolio of racetracks and charges 4Racing with the managing the exploitation and distribution of these exclusive pictures and data to online and retail operators across South Africa and the wider SADC (Southern African Development Community) whose 16 Member States include the likes of Zimbabwe, Angola and Tanzania.
1/ST CONTENT already assembles well over 3,300 days of racing each year from top North American racetracks, such as Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita, Golden Gate Fields, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course, alongside Del Mar, Keeneland, Tampa Bay Downs and Woodbine. More recent international distribution partnerships (via NYRA, BetMakers and CDI) have made 1/ST CONTENT the pre-eminent player in the international-rights space.
To which end, 1/ST CONTENT’s delivery of live pictures, data and multidimensional betting services now comprises an unrivalled network of over 70 North American tracks, equipping international operators with a highly-flexible programming schedule, supported by a steady stream of rapid-cycling betting opportunities that are proven to increase digital dwell-time for new and existing customers.
1/ST CONTENT’s acclaimed end-to-end solution, encompassing extensive content that maps approximately 90% of all U.S. racing, accordingly opens the door to many of the planet’s most prestigious horse races. Highlights include the Pegasus World Cup, every leg of the revered Triple Crown series (featuring the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes) and the season’s flagship finale at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships from Santa Anita (3-4 November).
This daily timetable of engaging action, whose chronology naturally complements international racing coverage across varied time-zones, provides 1/ST CONTENT’s global partners with a reliable source of fast-settling betting content at peak leisure-time viewing slots throughout South Africa, whose own daily domestic racing scene seamlessly transitions to East Coast start times at, for example, Gulfstream or Belmont Park.
Stephen Watson, Head of 4Racing TV, said: “1/ST CONTENT stands alone as the proven pacesetter for live North American horse racing content, providing rights, betting data, live broadcast and video streaming on behalf of its growing global portfolio of partners. So, naturally, we’re delighted to take charge of their portfolio under the terms of this progressive new sublicense agreement, allowing us to maximise the reach of North American racing not only in South Africa (a territory long-familiar with horse racing) but also in a broader span of the SADC’s emerging markets where a more educational play around this content is required in African States where football is king.
“More generally, 4Racing is reinvigorating the horse racing industry in South Africa and beyond with a commitment to diversity and transparency in its relationships with stakeholders, designing and implementing a series of new projects and strategies for the betterment of the sport.”
Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President of International at 1/ST CONTENT, added: “1/ST CONTENT is thrilled to build on our strategic relationship with 4Racing to widen the international reach of North American Thoroughbred racing in South Africa and SADC. As a result, fans and bettors around the world can now enjoy more coverage of top-quality racing than ever before, as out service corrals the lowest-latency feeds from thousands of annual meetings, showcasing tens of thousands of races each year. North American racing continues to assist worldwide operators in engaging untapped audiences by delivering 24/7 horse racing, and helps us return the value to a host of U.S. racetracks and their key stakeholders.
“4Racing have previously proven to be a strong partner for us in the Southern African market, so it’s fantastic to be expanding on an already valuable partnership. The distributional scope of their operators is second to none, across both retail and digital.”
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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