While Latin America has recently captured much of the iGaming spotlight, Africa is quietly emerging as one of the industry’s most exciting growth regions. With a market valued at $1.85 billion in 2024 and projected to surpass $1.94 billion by 2025, the continent shows strong momentum fueled by expanding mobile networks, affordable smartphones, and the rollout of 4G/5G infrastructure.

Sports betting, especially football, remains dominant, but live games, slots, and virtual experiences are gaining traction, presenting major opportunities for suppliers. Africa’s young population and growing middle class further enhance its potential, with some countries expected to attract millions of new users annually.

However, challenges persist: regulatory inconsistencies, fraud risks, uneven internet coverage, and outdated devices remain barriers. Markets also vary significantly, with South Africa offering a mature, well-regulated environment, while Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Ghana show strong growth but require careful localization strategies. Cultural and regulatory nuances mean that tailored solutions—particularly mobile-first and payment-flexible approaches—are essential for success.

For BetGames, Africa represents a strategic opportunity to expand its footprint by leveraging its live dealer expertise, flexible promotional tools like Hero, and diverse RNG and slot portfolio to meet the region’s fast-evolving demands. With localisation and cross-game engagement at the core, BetGames is well-positioned to support operators in capturing Africa’s next wave of iGaming growth.

BetGames is preparing to launch the next chapter of its hit crash game with Skyward Deluxe. The sequel retains the iconic plane, easy-to-pick-up mechanics, and the massive maximum win of up to 100,000x, while introducing a wealth of new features designed to drive community engagement and enhance the player experience.

Skyward Deluxe not only delivers the same thrill and tension that made the original popular, but also introduces fresh social elements including jackpots, leaderboards, winboards, and live chat. Features such as partial cash-out and Sky Drops make their debut in the crash game genre, bringing an entirely new dimension to play. Behind the scenes, improved performance ensures smoother, faster, and more reliable gameplay.

In an exclusive interview with Comparasino, our Head of Product, Adam Lahouiri, shares how Skyward Deluxe evolved from the original title and explains the vision for the future of crash games at BetGames.

In the second part of SBC’s character-focused roundtable, industry leaders explored how strong personas can evolve beyond a single release to become long-term franchises.

Our own Ian Catchick, Chief Product & Business Development Officer at BetGames, emphasized that a compelling backstory naturally drives sequels and future game concepts, allowing characters to travel across new settings while retaining their essence. Lucky Lenny, for example, could continue his adventures in entirely new worlds, keeping players engaged with both familiarity and fresh experiences.

The discussion also highlighted the emotional impact of well-crafted characters. Beyond RTP and volatility, characters build bonds with players, create memorable moments, and foster loyalty that data alone can’t explain.

Read more about how character-driven design is shaping the future of iGaming and why emotional connections matter as much as mechanics.

BetGames has strengthened its presence in Latin America by securing a strategic partnership with leading Brazilian operator Betsul.

Following full certification earlier this year, BetGames has prioritised establishing its footprint in Brazil – one of the fastest-growing iGaming markets. Betsul, which received its permanent operational licence in Q1 2025 (valid until 2029), has already carved out a strong nationwide presence.

Through this collaboration, Brazilian players will soon gain access to BetGames’ full catalogue of high-quality live and RNG titles, further diversifying Betsul’s offering and supporting the growth of regulated entertainment in the country.

As Gary Francis, Head of Account Management at BetGames, explained: “This deal marks a key milestone for BetGames as we continue to amplify our brand in Latin America. Betsul is a nationwide leader, and we trust the integration of our products will diversify its portfolio, giving more Brazilian players access to our innovative content.”