Emerging-markets aggregator scoops prestigious prize at key West African summit in Ghana

QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for all emerging markets, has won the “Best Innovation” award at the Annual Sports Betting West Africa (SBWA+) 2025 Summit in Ghana, fending off strong competition from other leading lights.

Innovation of the Year celebrates the company that has pioneered innovative solutions tailored for the West African igaming industry over the past 12 months – and QTech Games again superseded and surpassed an array of proven performers in this category, notably Blask, ComplyGuard, PopOK and Sumsub, with the successful launch and rollout of QTech Hybrid.

These SBWA+ Eventus Awards always recognise excellence and advancements in the West African igaming and sports betting sector. And this year was no different, celebrating a plethora of pioneers from outstanding operators, through progressive technological innovators and regulatory leaders, and on to distributors with the requisite scope and localised expertise to reliably ensure the provision of the most engaging and varied content for the planet’s second-most populous continent.

These are some of the most consequential categories of igaming activity, denoting progressive domains that are shaping the industry’s future across Africa. And the SBWA+ judges found that QTech Games had outperformed its shortlisted rivals in this competitive arena for the judging period of 2025.

QTech Games’ CEO, Philip Doftvik, said: “We’re thrilled to have walked off with another notable award for the best innovation in West Africa. Being shortlisted in such good company was already a result, but victory provides the real validation, particularly after running a great campaign across recent summits in Africa.

“We know our QTech Hybrid solution works wherever our clients set their scene on the map. In Africa, for our pilot partners, it’s already delivered an agile retail solution that can be transferred to your phone, so that the customer can continue playing after leaving the premises or retail point. Encouragingly, it’s already attracting many early adopters and plaudits, especially in Africa and Spanish-speaking territories in Central and South America.

“This win is testimony to our diligent team at QTech Games, and to the constantly growing group of innovative suppliers that our platform represents. It’s a truly collaborative effort. We’ve made our name as the go-to distributor for emerging markets and we remain committed to rolling out high-quality content that drives revenue for our worldwide partners across Africa and beyond.”

Industry-leading platform gains direct access to FIRST’s world-class sportsbook technology and trading excellence 

Elantil, the pioneering platform solutions provider, has announced the integration of FIRST – the tier one sportsbook supplier redefining global sports betting technology – into its online marketplace.

FIRST is widely recognised for delivering the highest lifetime value in the industry through its unrivalled combination of cutting-edge technology, in-house trading expertise, and global reach. Its proprietary platform powers some of the most ambitious operators worldwide, offering them a true alternative to legacy solutions.

By joining forces with FIRST, Elantil’s marketplace now connects its clients with a sportsbook solution built for operators aiming to compete at the very top of the industry. The integration provides Elantil partners with streamlined access to FIRST’s premium sportsbook technology and allows them to scale with confidence and independence.

John Debono, Chief Technical Officer at Elantil, said: “Much like Elantil, FIRST is a company that has used its years of industry experience to identify operators’ most common pain points and come up with innovative solutions. Now combining cutting-edge technology with trading excellence and local expertise, we’re sure they’ll go on to be a huge addition to our marketplace.”

Tom Light, CEO, at FIRST, said:“At FIRST, we have built the sportsbook solution that redefines what operators can expect from a partner – combining proprietary technology, world-class trading, and proven scalability. Integrating with Elantil, a leading platform technology supplier, ensures more operators can directly access a truly tier one sportsbook and unlock their full potential.”

Push Gaming has expanded its profile in the regulated Swiss market through a new partnership with Grand Casino Baden, one of the country’s most prominent online casino operators.

The collaboration sees Push Gaming’s acclaimed portfolio of slots rolled out in batches across the jackpots.ch platform, with a strong initial launch week featuring fan-favourites such as Big Bamboo, Razor Shark, and Retro Tapes.

The phased rollout of Push Gaming’s titles on Jackpots.ch will continue, with more popular games set to become available in the coming weeks.

This strategic partnership marks a significant step in Push Gaming’s continued expansion into regulated markets and its second collaboration in Switzerland.

Grand Casino Baden is recognised for its strong presence and reputation within the Swiss iGaming landscape, providing an ideal platform for the studio to solidify its foothold and expand its player base in the region.

Daniel Kevan, Business Development Manager at Push Gaming, said: “This partnership is a testament to our commitment to expanding our reach in regulated markets, and Grand Casino Baden’s position as a key player in Switzerland makes it an invaluable partner.

“We are confident that its players will thoroughly enjoy the engaging and innovative gameplay that our titles, including recent major releases like 3 Magic Pots and Wild Swarm Triple Hive, deliver.”

Brian Christner, Chief Online Gaming Officer at Grand Casino Baden, added: “Bringing Push Gaming’s high-quality content to our players is an exciting development for us.

“Its portfolio of games is renowned for its entertainment value and strong performance, and we believe it will be a significant draw for our audience. This collaboration strengthens our offering and reinforces our commitment to providing the best possible gaming experience to Swiss players.”