Rise & Hustle, Africa’s next-gen tap-to-earn gaming operator, has rolled out its proprietary AI-powered Rise Core solution to enhance performance, personalisation, and protection.

Officially launched last week in Nigeria, Rise & Hustle is a rewards-based mobile street game series built on its PlayZuzu Gaming platform. Rise Core uses advanced algorithms to stop fraud, identifying and preventing everything from Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) manipulation to gameplay exploitation. The solution excels at fortifying cybersecurity, proactively identifying threats to safeguard player data and platform integrity.

From a creative standpoint, Rise Core will generate and refine in-game visuals and imagery to immerse players in the experience of rising from Hustler to Kingpin. Furthermore, the solution is trained to analyse user behaviour and recommend content in real time to drive engagement and retention.

Deploying Rise Core at the heart of Rise & Hustle’s platform instantly heightens mobile-first gaming by combining entertainment, integrity, and progressive tech in one world.

Rise & Hustle CEO and co-founder Josh Jones commented: “Integrating our in-house Rise Core solution into the Rise & Hustle platform puts AI front and centre of all we’re building. It will help us build quicker, safer, and smarter than anyone else in the space. Players’ security is paramount, and backed by sophisticated AI we’re in position to detect and prevent fraud in real-time. We have the ability to seamlessly personalise content not just in design, but based on player interests. Rise Core is more than just a tool – it’s our edge in creating player-first experiences for Africa’s mobile-native generation.”

SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, proudly announces the launch of its major South African project with Mzansibet. It marks the first project in the country to utilise both the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook and the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform.

According to the recently released South Africa: iGaming Market Overview 2025 by SOFTSWISS, the country’s iGaming sector is growing at an impressive annual rate of 20–25%, driven by increasing mobile penetration. In line with this trend and evolving player needs, SOFTSWISS strongly focuses on mobile optimisation across its platforms, enabling seamless and enjoyable gaming experiences for Mzansibet players.

The launch in South Africa, ensuring full compliance with local technical standards, required meticulous preparation. SOFTSWISS products – including its sports betting software and online casino platform – underwent rigorous certification with Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), one of the most reputable and globally recognised independent testing laboratories in the iGaming industry. Following this process, the solutions were officially approved for local operation by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board – a respected and influential regulator in the region – affirming the high quality and compliance of SOFTSWISS software.

Max Trafimovich, International Non-Executive Director at SOFTSWISS, shares: “Mzansibet entered the market with a bold ambition to become a top-tier brand – and we are not only proud to support that vision from day one, but also well-equipped to ensure its sustainable growth. Leveraging our global and local expertise, we provide the technical, business, and service tools necessary for a smooth launch and scalable development. This is made possible thanks to our robust and stable architecture with 99.999% uptime and a flexible platform ecosystem. In addition, the brand launched a nationwide TV advertising campaign and has already attracted tens of thousands of players across the country – a powerful testament to its growing presence and trust.”

In addition to backend certification, the SOFTSWISS team invested heavily in frontend localisation to align with the partner’s vision and market requirements. The Mzansibet project has been fully adapted to meet South African player behaviour and betting patterns.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 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.

Rise & Hustle, Africa’s next-gen tap-to-earn gaming operator, has launched its reward-based mobile street game series in the Nigerian market. Running on its proprietary platform, Rise & Hustle gives players the opportunity to rise from Hustler to Kingpin, earning Bucks during the grind to unlock real-world rewards.

Created for Africa’s mobile-first generation, Rise & Hustle enables taps and achievements to be redeemed for mobile airtime, tangible rewards & Rise Tokens – all without spending a cent. The portfolio of free-to-play games and lottery products is designed in-house, giving Rise & Hustle the ability to deliver energetic and competitive experiences that appeal to players.

The company was co-founded by Anthony Broadhurst, a key player in Africa’s gaming and crypto world, and Josh Jones, an experienced iGaming entrepreneur with a stellar record of building successful platforms.

Rise Tokens are crypto-backed rewards on the Binance Smart Chain and power a real economy that rewards loyalty. Squads and community are central to gameplay with leaderboards, status, and real-time tournaments making each session count.

Embracing AI technology, local partnerships, and sharp design, Rise & Hustle is on the path to becoming Africa’s most culturally relevant gaming operator. A full Real Money Gaming offering is due for launch imminently.

Beyond Nigeria, expansion plans include Kenya and Ghana, with launches scheduled for completion by the close of 2025. As Rise & Hustle scales, it will strengthen collaborations with mobile networks, pioneering brands, and influencers to accelerate mass adoption. With its bold brand, crypto-powered rewards, and laser focus on mobile-first entertainment, Rise & Hustle’s platform is the future.

Rise & Hustle CEO and co-founder Josh Jones commented: “Rise & Hustle is flipping the script on how value is created for an entire generation’s time and talent spent on mobile games. We’re here to turn everyday entertainment into real-world rewards. This isn’t just a game – we’re building a cultural movement where players grind together to reach the top through ambition and hustle.”