Mind Sports South Africa’s President, Colin Webster, today confirmed that MSSA has entered International Esports Federation’s (IESF) 17th World Championships which is to be known as WEC25.MSSA has been a staunch, and loyal member, of IESF since 2009, and has participated in every single IESF World Championship since 2009.

MSSA has always advocated greater inclusion of events for females at such World Championships. With Colin Webster having served on IESF’s Board from 2013 to 2020, the number of events specifically for females has grown in number. It was in 2018 that South Africa fielded the first all female Counter-Strike team at IESF’s 10th World Championships – an act which many see as a forerunner of IESF implementing an all female Counter-Strike event at its 14th World Championships.

It is therefore not surprising that MSSA has thus entered all IESF esports titles on offer at IESF’s 17th World Championships – especially the female events.

The esports titles entered by MSSA are:

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• Counter-Strike 2 (open)
• Counter-Strike 2 (female)
• DOTA 2 (open)
• eFootball (Open)
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (open)
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (female)
• PUBG mobile (open)0

Colin Webster stated, “This is the largest entry that South Africa has ever made, and MSSA is confident that the 2025 Protea Team will be the strongest team ever to represent South Africa as the Protea Team’.

Colin then added, “The teams that attended both AEC24 and WEC24 have left solid foundations on which to build. MSSA is thus excited to see the performance of the teams that will be selected in March 2025 to represent South Africa”.

The online casino industry in Africa is poised for rapid growth in 2025, and South Africa is at the forefront of this revolution. As one of the continent’s most advanced markets, South Africa is shaping trends that are set to influence how online gaming evolves across the region. From technological innovation to user-centric platforms, South Africa is cementing its reputation as a leader in the online casino space.

Innovation Meets Regulation

One of the key factors enabling South Africa’s leadership is the balance between innovation and regulation. The country has established a robust framework for online gambling south africa, ensuring player safety while fostering innovation among operators. This regulatory environment attracts world-class developers and service providers, allowing local players to enjoy cutting-edge games and features. In 2025, expect a surge in virtual reality (VR) casino games, personalised gaming experiences, and AI-driven customer support—all trends likely to emerge first in South Africa before spreading to the rest of Africa.

Local Payment Solutions for a Seamless Experience

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South African casinos are addressing one of the biggest barriers to entry for players: payment methods. With the rise of local solutions like 1ForYou Vouchers and Capitec Pay, players can now deposit and withdraw seamlessly, even if they lack traditional banking access. This innovation will set a precedent for neighbouring countries, making online casinos more accessible to a wider audience across the continent.

Empowering Players Across Africa

As South Africa leads the charge, one of the most exciting developments is the focus on player empowerment. South African operators are raising the bar by offering transparent terms, generous bonus structures, and educational resources to help players make smarter choices. Features like no deposit bonuses, free spins no deposit, slots real money, and loyalty programmes are becoming standard, providing more value to players and ensuring they stay engaged. This player-centric approach is expected to ripple across Africa, inspiring other markets to adopt similar practices.

A Gateway for International Operators

South Africa’s leadership is not only influencing local players but also positioning the country as a gateway for international operators looking to expand into Africa. With its robust infrastructure, tech-savvy population, and a deep understanding of the local gaming culture, South Africa is an ideal testing ground for new technologies and games. Global brands are increasingly partnering with South African affiliates and operators to introduce innovations that meet the needs of African players, further solidifying the country’s influence in the region.

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Community and Responsible Gaming at the Core

Another significant trend is the emphasis on community and responsible gaming. South African platforms are leading the way by integrating tools for self-regulation, offering support for problem gambling, and fostering an online environment that prioritises player well-being. By blending fun with responsibility, South Africa is setting a benchmark for what sustainable online gaming should look like—not just for Africa, but for the global online casino industry.

SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za Leads the Conversation

Bart Charrings, a lead writer and expert at SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za, highlights the role South African affiliate sites play in shaping this dynamic landscape. “At SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za, we pride ourselves on providing not just reviews, but insights that empower players to make informed decisions. Our unique focus on local payment methods, mobile-optimised platforms, and beginner-friendly guides sets us apart from the competition,” says Charrings.

SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za is also known for its in-depth coverage of South African-specific trends, including how local regulations impact the gaming experience and what players can expect from the latest casino launches. By bridging the gap between players and trustworthy operators, the site is a key resource for South Africans seeking safe and enjoyable online casino experiences.

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Soft2Bet has signed a multi-year turnkey agreement with leading Nigerian media company Channels Media Group to provide its powerful platform solution and Managed Services in the largest regulated market in Africa.

As part of the deal Soft2Bet will power Waddibet, Channels Media Group’s online sports betting and casino offering, driving value for the group by managing its entire customer acquisition and retention strategy through its market-leading ‘Managed Services’ offering.

The partnership will make full use of Channels local knowledge and Soft2Bet’s online sports betting and casino expertise as the broadcaster leverages its reach to deploy Soft2Bet’s Motivational Engineering Gamification Application (MEGA), the gamification solution that enables operators to deliver market-leading ROI by providing quality content and driving player engagement in regulated jurisdictions.

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Regulatory expansion

Soft2Bet’s regulatory footprint grew significantly in 2023 as the group entered major markets like Sweden, Denmark, Romania and Italy and in 2024 this has continued and it is set to forge ahead on this path with worldwide expansion into Africa’s largest economy and most populous country with Channels TV.

As the company executes on its strategic roadmap throughout 2025 it will continue integrating new partners to its B2B platform and adding to its content library to deliver the richest and most complete turnkey solution for its partners.

Martin Collins, Chief Business Development Officer of Soft2Bet, said: “As a group, Soft2Bet is truly delighted to announce its first African partnership with a high-calibre media partner like Channels TV. Nigeria is the continent’s largest economy and a vibrant market and the combination of Channels TV’s strong brand equity and our highly localised and powerful solutions will deliver strong growth in this major market.”

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Tobi Momoh, Group Strategist & Consultant of Channels Media Group, added: “Our joining forces with Soft2Bet will see us  blend our local expertise with their cutting-edge online sports betting and casino operations. We’re also highly excited at the thought of integrating Soft2Bet’s MEGA gamification and are confident in our ability to deliver premium content and elevate player engagement across this market. Together, we’re committed to setting new industry standards and establishing a leading iGaming brand that will provide unmatched entertainment to our players.”