The African gaming industry is witnessing a significant shift with the introduction of Skyward, a thrilling plane-themed crash game by leading games provider BetGames. Launched on 20th February 2024, Skyward has received an overwhelming response across the continent, marking a significant milestone for BetGames’ expansion efforts in Africa. The launch of Skyward in Africa is not just a game release; it’s a testament to the potential of the African gaming market and a glimpse into the future of gaming in the continent.

The game’s successful introduction in South Africa, in partnership with leading operators Betway and Hollywoodbets, has yielded very encouraging results. Both Betway and Hollywoodbets have embraced Skyward as an exciting addition to their content portfolio, providing players with a dynamic experience that has been optimised to ensure lightweight and stable operation, meeting the challenges of markets that prioritise low data consumption. The game incorporates automated promotional tools designed to reward players regularly, further enhancing the gaming experience. The expansion into South Africa coincides with BetGames’ ambitious growth plans for 2024, capitalising on the momentum generated by Skyward’s launch. BetGames has already introduced its innovative casino chips feature to the market and has a packed roadmap that includes the release of three Roulette games and the same number of Blackjack Tables over the next 12 months. The new releases showcase BetGames’ commitment to delivering cutting-edge and unique gaming experiences throughout diverse markets, with branded versions of all new titles available. James Everett, VP for Africa and LatAm at BetGames, (pictured above), expressed his excitement about the rapid adoption of Skyward in Africa, particularly in the competitive South African market. He anticipates continued success and growth in the region as more South African operators are set to join the Skyward family.

BetGames has been the recipient of multiple awards since 2019 with a client base of multiple tier-one operators, including Entain, Betway, Hollywoodbets, STS and Kaizen Gaming.

Africa steps up from traditional forms to mobile gaming

The gaming industry in Africa has witnessed significant transformation over the years. The evolution has been marked by a shift from traditional forms of gaming like bingo and slot gaming to more modern forms, particularly mobile gaming.

In 2015, there were 77 million gamers in sub-Saharan Africa. This number increased to 186 million in 2021, with 63 million of these gamers paying for games. This growth has been facilitated by the increasing availability and affordability of smartphones, improvements in internet penetration, and the development of payment ecosystems. One of the key drivers of this evolution has been the rise of sports betting, with football being at the core of this expansion. High-profile individuals like Emmanuel Makandiwa of Zimbabwe and Oluwaseun “Shizzle” Ajayi from Nigeria have served as inspiring examples, proving that gaming can bring positive changes within communities. The African gaming market size was estimated at USD 1.92 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 3.72 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 11.62 percent during the forecast period (2024-2029). This growth is aided by the rising internet connectivity, increasing adoption of smartphones, and the advent of high bandwidth network connectivity, such as 5G. However, the regulatory environment for the gaming industry varies across African nations. While some nations offer open gambling environments with established legal frameworks in place, others hold more conservative viewpoints with more stringent views and restrictions in place. Despite the challenges, the future of the gaming industry in Africa looks promising. With the young population on the rise and the increasing adoption of digital currencies, the gaming industry in Africa is poised for further growth and innovation.

. The next SiGMA Africa Summit takes place in Cape Town between 11-13 March ! The fourth edition of SiGMA Eurasia will once again be held at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. Held between the 25 and 27 February 2024, the summit provides invaluable networking opportunities for industry professionals, gain exposure to the latest tech and innovations in the sector, meet key decision makers, and gain insight into new markets. SiGMA Africa event kicks off in Cape Town, South Africa on the 11 March. Building on the success of its inaugural edition in Nairobi, Kenya, in January 2023, SiGMA Group recognizes the need to foster collaboration and innovation within the industry.