

Africa
MoU for African schools football competition signed in Congo DR
The initiative will allow FECOFA, FIFA, and the government of the DRC to promote health and support social cohesion by integrating football training into the school curriculum
Today in Kinshasa, FIFA (www.FIFA.com), the Congo DR Football Association (FECOFA) and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a historic MoU that will see the creation of a schools football championship.
At a signing ceremony in the iconic Palais des Nations Hall, FECOFA President Constant Omari, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, and DRC Minister for Sport and Leisure Marcel Amos Mbayo Kitenge signed an MoU that outlined the terms of the school’s football competition and how it will use the power of the game to improve lives and instil positive values in young people.
The event, attended by CAF President Patrice Motsepe and CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba, builds upon meetings between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President of the DRC and current African Union Chairperson Félix Tshisekedi (https://fifa.fans/3dOoCHM) earlier this year. In collaboration with the FECOFA, FIFA and the government of the DRC will organize football tournaments in schools throughout the country, which has a population of almost 90 million people, before being scaled up in several other countries in Africa with the support of CAF.
The initiative will allow FECOFA, FIFA and the government of the DRC to promote health and support social cohesion by integrating football training into the school curriculum to teach children the importance of teamwork, self-confidence, strategy, respecting rules, how to be a good winner and how to deal with losing.
It will also see young people being recruited and trained in referring, the provision of football facilities and infrastructures in schools and more girls and boys being physically active and strengthening their links with each other through youth competitions on a pan-African level.
Speaking at the signing of the MoU FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: “FIFA is committed to working with the African Union and CAF to play its part in not only raising the levels of African football but in providing opportunities through football to the many children throughout our continent who have none. We believe in the power of football as more than just a game but as a means of learning life skills and the school’s football championship provides the perfect environment to put these skills into action and the perfect opportunity for Africa’s young people to become inspired and empowered by the beautiful game.”
The CAF President Patrice Motespe commended both FIFA and the DRC leadership on the initiative and the unique opportunity it provides to invest in African youth through the values of football, as well as its potential to inspire African girls and boys to become better citizens.
Following the signing of the MoU, DRC’s Minister for Sport and Leisure Marcel Amos Mbayo Kitenge reinforced his government’s full commitment to supporting the project and outlined some of the measures it will put in place to make it a success including:
- Allocating a number of hours in each school week to playing football
- Putting financial, structural, and operational means in place for the successful completion of the competitions and training of school supervisors
- Establishment of a local organizing committee specific to the final phase of the competition
- Ensuring that the school’s championship sees two women’s and two men’s teams qualify for future youth competitions on a pan-African level
SOURCE: Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
Africa
SOFTSWISS Report: South Africa’s Gambling Revenue to Hit €3.63 Billion by 2025

SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider of iGaming software solutions, releases a new regulated market overview, ‘iGaming in South Africa 2025’. The report serves as a comprehensive guide to South Africa’s online gambling landscape, offering operators and stakeholders insights into the market’s size, regulatory framework, and emerging trends.
South Africa’s iGaming sector is experiencing robust growth, driven by digital adoption and evolving player behaviour. While the broader gambling market in South Africa is projected to generate approximately €3.63 billion in gross gambling revenue (GGR) by the end of 2025, betting already dominates, accounting for about 60.5% of the total earnings.
Mobile wagering, in particular, now generates the lion’s share of online betting turnover – roughly 81% of bets are placed via smartphones and tablets – a trend fueled by South Africa’s high smartphone penetration and the convenience of on-the-go betting. Together, these factors point to a developed digital betting ecosystem driving the overall gambling industry’s expansion.
“With this SOFTSWISS market report, we highlight our commitment to the dynamic potential of South Africa’s iGaming market. Backed by our global expertise and local insight, SOFTSWISS is well-positioned to address the region’s unique needs and opportunities. These insights will help shape our strategy and ensure our solutions stay aligned with the evolving South African iGaming landscape,” said Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Commercial Officer at SOFTSWISS.
The ‘iGaming in South Africa’ report also highlights the complex regulatory landscape that operators must navigate. Gambling in South Africa is governed by both the National Gambling Board and nine provincial licensing authorities, each with its own rules and requirements. This layered system means companies need careful compliance strategies to enter and operate across different provinces.
Despite the regulatory fragmentation and challenges such as a 15% VAT on betting transactions, South Africa remains highly attractive to local and international investors. The report notes that trends in player engagement are reshaping the market: operators are increasingly incorporating gamification and social play elements to appeal to younger, digital-savvy bettors.
Popular casino-style games are introduced in fixed-odds betting formats to comply with current laws, which prohibit traditional online casinos nationally. These innovative adaptations – for example, number-based games and ‘crash’ games presented as sports wagers – allow players to enjoy casino-like content within the legal betting framework, reflecting a creative industry response to regulatory constraints.
This new market analysis follows SOFTSWISS’ recent expansion in South Africa. Earlier in June, the company made its first major public appearance in the country in the tech field as a partner of Africa Tech Week 2025 in Cape Town. At the event, SOFTSWISS showcased its technology solutions and shared insights on digital resilience and innovation in African markets.
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 Report: South Africa’s Gambling Revenue to Hit €3.63 Billion by 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
Booming Games Teams Up With Hollywoodbets as Activation Partner for the Iconic Hollywoodbets Durban July

Booming Games, a leading provider of premium gaming content, is thrilled to announce its collaboration with prominent operator Hollywoodbets for the upcoming Hollywoodbets Durban July, taking place on 5 July 2025 in Durban, South Africa. Together, the companies will collaborate as activation partners on the course, showcasing their shared commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment.
The race day widely celebrated as Africa’s Greatest Horse Racing and Social Event, draws tens of thousands of racing enthusiasts, celebrities, and industry leaders each year to the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and action-packed horse racing the festival has become a staple in South Africa’s sporting calendar, celebrating the culture and heritage of Durban while delivering a premium entertainment experience.
As part of this exciting partnership, Booming Games and Hollywoodbets will host a joint stand at the event, giving attendees the opportunity to try out Booming Games’ latest titles, win exclusive prizes, and experience world-class gaming in a dynamic environment.
“We are excited to partner with Hollywoodbets for this prestigious event that celebrates sport, entertainment, and community,” said Max Niehusen, CEO of Booming Games. “Booming Games has always been committed to delivering exceptional entertainment experiences, and this collaboration allows us to connect with players in a vibrant setting while showcasing our innovative portfolio.”
Solomon Godwin, Head of Africa at Booming Games, added: “Durban Horse Racing is more than a sporting event; it’s a cultural celebration in Africa, and we are proud to be part of it alongside Hollywoodbets. This partnership underscores our commitment to the African market as we continue to expand our footprint on the continent.”
Wayde Dorkin, Head of Product at Hollywoodbets, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Booming Games as a partner for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. As South Africa’s leading sports betting operator, we value partnerships that enhance our customer experience and bring fresh, engaging content to our audience. This collaboration aligns with our mission of innovation and entertainment while celebrating the spirit of racing in our home city.”
The post Booming Games Teams Up With Hollywoodbets as Activation Partner for the Iconic Hollywoodbets Durban July appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
DRC Signs MoU for Public-Private Partnership with Burundi’s East African General Trade Company

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Sports and Leisure announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding for a public-private partnership with Burundi’s East African General Trade Company (EAGT). This partnership aims to modernise the oversight of the gambling and sports betting sector, a rapidly expanding field in the country.
According to the Ministry, EAGT will implement a centralised digital monitoring system. This system will connect operators’ platforms to transmit real-time reports to the Congolese state. The initiative seeks to bolster sector transparency, enhance tax collection (especially the 10% tax on bettors’ winnings) and combat tax fraud.
While no specific timeline has been set for implementation, a pilot phase is planned for Kinshasa. An interministerial commission will rigorously supervise this pilot to ensure robust oversight by public authorities. EAGT will fully cover the project’s initial funding, with repayment staggered based on generated revenues, thereby avoiding any immediate pressure on state finances.
This project is part of a broader push to regulate the sector. In 2023, during a Council of Ministers meeting, former Finance Minister Nicolas Kazadi revealed that 139 illegal operators were active in 2022, with no available data on their revenues. Tax collections that same year reached only one billion Congolese francs, a level deemed very low compared to the sector’s real potential.
Faced with this situation, the government had considered creating a regulatory authority equipped with a digital tracking system. Projections at the time suggested such a reform could generate over $100 million annually (280 billion Congolese francs at the current dollar value), solely from the tax applied to bettors’ stakes.
Burundi offers a successful example. In June 2024, N-Soft introduced a similar system there. According to the Director General of Burundi’s National Lottery, this system led to a dramatic 552% increase in the sector’s tax revenues.
The post DRC Signs MoU for Public-Private Partnership with Burundi’s East African General Trade Company appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
gaming3 years ago
ODIN by 4Players: Immersive, state-of-the-art in-game audio launches into the next generation of gaming
-
EEG iGaming Directory8 years ago
iSoftBet continues to grow with new release Forest Mania
-
News7 years ago
Softbroke collaborates with Asia Live Tech for the expansion of the service line in the igaming market
-
News6 years ago
Super Bowl LIII: NFL Fans Can Bet on the #1 Sportsbook Review Site Betting-Super-Bowl.com, Providing Free Unbiased and Trusted News, Picks and Predictions
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
Rick Meitzler appointed to the Indian Gaming Magazine Advisory Board for 2018
-
News6 years ago
REVEALED: Top eSports players set to earn $3.2 million in 2019
-
iGaming Industry8 years ago
French Senator raises Loot Boxes to France’s Gambling Regulator
-
News7 years ago
Exclusive Interview with Miklos Handa (Founder of the email marketing solutions, “MailMike.net”), speaker at Vienna International Gaming Expo 2018