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Africa

“Land-based Casinos Should Crisis-proof Their Operations and Diversify Online” – WinPrincess’ Guven Eraslan

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After announcing its partnership with WinPrincess, whereby the principal retail casino in Tanzania will be diversifying its operations, incorporating the digital channels to its retail business strategy, leading iGaming platform provider BtoBet meets with Guven Eraslan, Executive Coordinator of the WinPrincess Group, to understand key market traits.

Coming from the casino vertical, do you intend to stick to your core brand strategy or diversify and grasp the opportunity that other verticals keep in hold?
Our core business is the operation of land-based casinos. At heart we are a family owned traditional bricks and mortar company with strong values. But like any other company we need to grow in order to continue to remain relevant.

Therefore, we cannot afford to miss any of the opportunities that lie ahead of us, and our focus will be on all verticals within the iGaming industry. Our mid-term strategy is to be online in all the countries where we operate land-based casinos already. With marketing being key to the success of the online business, we believe that we can create a synergy through our already existing physical presence, knowledge of the culture and manpower on the front.

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You have targeted Tanzania for your first expansion to online gambling. Why Tanzania?
Tanzania’s betting industry has more than doubled in the last three years. Moreover three of the fastest growing cities in the world are in Tanzania. Dar Es Salaam has a population of 6.7 million people and is projected to grow by 100% to 13.4 million by 2035.

Apart from this it is important to note that all of the fastest growing 15 cities in the world are found in Africa. We believe that Africa is a safe bet if you need a good start. And that is exactly what we need, if we are to tackle and master diversification within a traditional casino company such as ours.

From a global perspective land-based casinos have been slow to shift or expand their operations to the digital channels, and thus providing a more complete betting experience where all the channels are interlinked. Why do you think is there such a reluctance from retail casino operators to transform their business strategies?
I think people are reluctant to change in general. We are talking about two totally different cultures as well, with the online branch of the business considered as the disruptor in our traditional casino world, where until recently people always needed to be physically present in a brick and mortar casino in order to place their money on bets. Thus there always needed to be a live interaction and it was more like a personal experience.

That is not required anymore, with online casino bringing about a clash of cultures, if you will. Well it is quite clear that it is us, the land-based casino operators, the ones that need to change and adapt. Diversification can only be made in the direction of progress. Business diversification is definitely something that all land-based operators need to address in the short term. We are up to the challenge, and with the right vision and the right partners such as BtoBet we will get there.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought about never before seen measures requiring social distancing. How has this effected the retail casino business?
All but 12 of our casinos are closed at the moment. So we are talking about 20 closed casinos of which we do not know yet when they will be allowed to reopen. The best business model is a crisis-proof one, and there will be a lot of analysis from all industries on how they can achieve this.
Nonetheless I dare say that if we could have achieved a diversification to online more early, and by doing so hedged our investments, we probably would have not been hit as hard.

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Do you think that the pandemic will eventually change the players’ behaviour?
We cannot foresee with certainty what the player behaviour will look like after the crisis. People might be more hesitant to go to a casino but on the other hand once normality returns I believe that social interaction will be a key element that will characterize people’s lives.

My guess is that everything will go back to normal once the pandemic is under control. People have a tendency of wanting to forget bad times. After all social interaction is what makes us human, so we will not easily give up on that.

What elements made you choose BtoBet’s Neuron 3 platform as the technological core of your online business?
When I did my own research for iGaming and sports betting platform providers, which are active in Africa it was amazing that under every stone I turned I found BtoBet. When a company of our size wants to go online there is a lot of demand for working with us. And although we had contact with all the main companies in the online gaming business, our decision in the end was quite easy. Knowledge, expertise and trustworthiness are key elements that distinguish BtoBet, and we look forward to work with them on other similar projects.

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Africa

SOFTSWISS Set to ‘Grab Success’ at SiGMA Africa 2025

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SOFTSWISS, a global expert with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative iGaming solutions, announces its participation in SiGMA Africa, which will take place in Cape Town on 10–12 March 2025.

SOFTSWISS is bringing its award-winning ‘Grab Success’ creative concept to the expo. This time, it will be visually adapted specifically for the African market, celebrating the continent’s rich heritage and the company’s commitment to empowering operators with the best iGaming solutions.

Olga Resiga, Chief Business Development Officer at SOFTSWISS, commented: “We’re excited to bring our ‘Grab Success’ concept to Africa, showing our dedication to innovation and delivering market-specific solutions. With the massive potential of this fast-growing market, now is the perfect time to explore fresh iGaming collaborations. We are looking forward to engaging with new partners, building meaningful connections, and demonstrating how SOFTSWISS can help enrich the future of iGaming in South Africa.”

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Participation in SiGMA Africa 2025 continues SOFTSWISS’ expansion in the South African market. Last year, the company acquired a majority stake in Turfsport, a leading local provider of multichannel wagering software. This partnership resulted in three new product launches in 2024: the Lotto Software, the Retail Betting Solution, and a Horse Racing module integrated into the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook. These new offerings provide operators with flexible and secure tools to enhance their lottery and betting services.

Christian Neuberger, CEO at Turfsport, added:Our partnership with SOFTSWISS has already shown its tremendous potential through the launch of three new products in 2024. As we continue to work together, we see even bigger opportunities lying ahead. SiGMA Africa will be a great platform to showcase what our collaboration can offer operators in the region.”

Additionally, SOFTSWISS recently released its 2024 iGaming Market Overview: South Africa. The report serves as a comprehensive guide for operators looking to enter this market and understand the region’s unique iGaming landscape.

Visitors are invited to schedule a meeting at Stand 56P to meet the SOFTSWISS team and explore the latest solutions designed for operators in the African iGaming market.

 

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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 27,800 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, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

The post SOFTSWISS Set to ‘Grab Success’ at SiGMA Africa 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Africa

Gamanza Games goes wild in South Africa with 10bet launch

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Gamanza Games has successfully launched in South Africa’s booming iGaming market, enjoying an impressive debut with 10bet, in partnership with leading local aggregator, Intelligent Gaming. A number of Gamanza Games’s top performing arcade casino games were very well received by players, including the innovative aviation crash game, “Air Racer”, and the Swiss game studio’s fast-paced Plinko game, “Plinkoinko”.

The collaboration with Intelligent Gaming marks Gamanza Games’s fifth regulated market entry and a first step towards wider expansion across the African region. Expectations are high for continued growth in the popularity of arcade casino games in Africa, and Gamanza Games aims to be a driving force of further innovation in the space.

Robert Civill, Chief Commercial Officer of Gamanza said of Gamanza Games’s latest market launch: “We are delighted to activate our partnership with Intelligent Gaming and go-live in what I believe to be one of the industry’s most exciting markets right now. We are really proud to launch with a forward-thinking brand like 10bet as well. We share a vision for evolving the online casino experience, through gamification mechanics, and a wide variety of game choice. Our first game releases have landed really well with local players, so the future is bright for us in South Africa!”

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Michelle Henriques Colborne, Marketing VP at 10bet South Africa added, “Our commitment to delivering top-notch entertainment to our 10bet bettors in South Africa continues to grow stronger. We are excited to partner with Gamanza in bringing world class entertainment and look forward to what this partnership will bring for our players.”

The post Gamanza Games goes wild in South Africa with 10bet launch appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Africa

The Top 5 Welcome Bonuses South African Online Casino Players Can Look Forward to in February 2025

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South Africa’s online casino industry continues to thrive, boasting an ever-increasing array of high-quality gaming platforms. With many choices available, discerning a quality online casino has never been more crucial. Quality is determined by several factors including game variety, user experience, customer support, security, and especially the value of welcome bonuses offered.

Due to the extensive number of options, using a reputable guide to sift through the wealth of online casinos ensures that players can find the best experiences available. One such critical factor in this selection is the welcome bonus, which significantly enhances the initial gaming experience and boosts players’ chances from their very first deposit.

As the online casino landscape expands, the importance of reliable, knowledgeable guidance in choosing the right casino becomes imperative. www.nodepositcasinos.co.za, a leading portal for online casinos in South Africa, stands out as a prime resource. Our expertise allows us to navigate and recommend top-tier online casinos that promise not only enjoyment but also security and fair play.

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This February 2025, www.nodepositcasinos.co.za has carefully selected the top 5 welcome bonuses available to South African players. These bonuses have been chosen based on their value, the quality of the casinos offering them, and their appeal to both new and seasoned players.
Here’s a detailed look at what players can expect:

  1. Springbok Casino
    • Welcome Bonus: R500 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: NDC500; R11,500 Welcome Bonus
    • Casino Highlights: Springbok Casino, launched in 2012 and licensed by the Government of Curacao, is powered by Realtime Gaming. It is highly popular among South African players for its robust game library including slots, table games, and more. This online gambling site supports gameplay on various devices, offering services in both English and Afrikaans, and all transactions are conveniently listed in ZAR.
  2. Yebo Casino
    • Welcome Bonus: R350 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: NEW350; R12,000 Welcome Bonus
    • Casino Highlights: Since 2014, Yebo Casino has been a trusted name in the South African market, adorned in the national green and black to resonate with local pride. It offers a comprehensive Realtime Gaming portfolio and exceptional customer service, with a variety of banking options including EasyEFT and cryptocurrencies.
  3. Punt Casino
    • Welcome Bonus: R350 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: SAC350; R10,000 Welcome Bonus
    • Casino Highlights: Tailored for South African players, Punt Casino offers a vast array of games from Realtime Gaming since its inception in 2017. The site is known for its mobile compatibility and a variety of bonus offers, alongside top-notch security protocols ensuring a safe gaming environment.
  4. Thunderbolt Casino
    • Welcome Bonus: R500 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: NDC500; R10,000 Welcome Bonus
    • Casino Highlights: With a mascot named Thando the Chameleon, Thunderbolt Casino offers a distinctly South African vibe and a comprehensive suite of real-time gaming titles. Players can enjoy a variety of bonuses and promotions, accessible via both desktop and mobile platforms.
  5. Silversands Casino
    • Welcome Bonus: R400 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: NDC400; R10,000 Welcome Bonus
    • Casino Highlights: Established in 1999, Silversands Casino stands as one of the oldest and most respected online casinos in South Africa. The platform features a full range of Realtime Gaming slots and table games, with robust security measures in place to ensure a secure and fair gaming experience.

The post The Top 5 Welcome Bonuses South African Online Casino Players Can Look Forward to in February 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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