As the African landscape continues to develop, what evolving player trends have you observed across the markets in which you operate?  

The African iGaming landscape is experiencing an incredibly exciting evolution, driven by a highly tech-savvy, mobile-first youth demographic. The most prominent trend we are observing is the demand for instant, low-friction entertainment. 

Historically, the African market has been dominated by sports betting, but players are increasingly looking to diversify their sessions. However, they want to do so without heavy data consumption or complex learning curves. This has led to a massive surge in the popularity of fast-paced, crash-style games and lightweight, mobile-optimised content.

Another key trend is the social and competitive aspect of gaming. Players in regions like West and East Africa highly value community and peer-to-peer engagement. As a result, interactive features, real-time leaderboards and localised tournaments are no longer just value-adds but are key tactical tools that operators must deploy to protect and improve retention rates. 

What can you tell us broadly about the popularity of online poker in Africa?  

Online poker in Africa has immense, yet historically underserved, potential. Traditionally, poker was perceived as a complex, high-data vertical that required a desktop setup and a deep understanding of intricate strategies. 

But we are completely rewriting that narrative. By understanding that classic formats can be intimidating, we developed simplified, fast-paced games on a casino-style engine, such as One Click Poker and Spins Poker. These formats eliminate the need for advanced card skills or complex tactical decisions. Instead, they transform peer-to-peer card gaming into an instant, action-packed experience that runs seamlessly on budget smartphones and low-bandwidth networks. When you lower the barrier to entry this way, the appetite for card games skyrockets. 

African sports betting and casino operators are realising that simplified card games bring a highly loyal audience with excellent lifetime value. It’s still about the thrill of the cards and community, which deeply resonates with the competitive spirit of local players, but in a format everyone can enjoy. Moving forward, we are planning to launch even more simplified titles of this kind, as EvenBet Gaming is set to position itself as a comprehensive, go-to card games provider in the very near future. 

How have you navigated the growing adoption of online in Africa, both with regard to online poker and online casino – where you recently expanded?  

Navigating this growth requires a blend of deep localisation and technological agility. On the poker front, we introduced formats designed specifically to eliminate traditional barriers. For instance, EvenBet Gaming’s solutions, like One Click Poker and Spins Poker, strip away complex lobbies and long waiting times. They allow sports bettors or casino players to jump into a live hand with a single click, making peer-to-peer gaming as intuitive as spinning a slot. 

Our business strategy reached a major milestone when we brought the Turnkey Casino Platform and Game Aggregator directly under the EvenBet Gaming brand. This was a natural evolution for us.

In what way do you think Kenya’s recent decision to license its supplier market will benefit the nation’s growth?  

The transition to the new Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) framework and the licensing of B2B suppliers is a massive leap forward for Kenya.

The primary benefit is market stability and quality control. By vetting and licensing software providers, Kenya is establishing a clean, structured ecosystem. For operators, this eliminates the risk of working with uncertified software, ensuring that the games delivered to Kenyan players are fair, secure and technologically robust. 

Furthermore, a clear B2B licensing framework attracts premium, tier-one international suppliers who might previously have hesitated due to regulatory grey areas. This influx of high-quality technology drives healthy competition, elevates the standard of entertainment and ultimately boosts tax revenues for the state in a sustainable way. It positions Kenya as a sophisticated, mature iGaming hub in East Africa. 

Do you think that cross-collaboration between suppliers and operators in Kenya’s changing market can help drive enhanced RG protections?  

Absolutely. Responsible gaming is not a solo effort. It is a shared industry responsibility that requires a continuous feedback loop between the technology creators and the boots on the ground. 

As a B2B supplier, we build the engine. We develop the advanced anti-fraud controls, the self-exclusion mechanics, the limits-setting tools, and the data analytics that flag anomalous player behaviour. However, it is the operators who directly hold the relationship with the player and understand local cultural nuances. 

Under the new GRA regulations in Kenya, close collaboration allows us to customise our responsible gaming tools to the specific needs of Kenyan players. When operators share real-world insights on player habits and risk profiles, we can refine our algorithms and back-office tools to be more proactive rather than reactive. This synergy is the only way to build a safe, sustainable gaming environment that protects vulnerable players while allowing the industry to thrive.