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AFRICA’S GAMING FUTURE COMES INTO FOCUS the prize eyes on the prize eyes on ISSUE 140 ● iGB L!VE 2026 PLUS ETHICS IN ONLINE SLOT GAMES A NEW ERA FOR PLAYER ACQUISITION UK GAMBLING’S RECALIBRATION i GAMING BUSINESS • ISSUE 140 • iGB L!VE 2026TMWELCOME igamingbusiness.com Change is inevitable in any professional sector. The way stakeholders prepare for that change is what sets winners apart from others navigating the choppy waters of global gambling regulations. Early entry into a new market is cited as a winning move, but how early is too early? Talk of the African opportunity is not new, with some incumbents active in the market for nearly 20 years. But today, as evidenced by the strong African presence at this year’s iGB L!VE, it is firmly on the map as a growth driver. In this issue’s cover feature, we break down which markets are leading the African gaming revolution and who is already attracting significant market share across those regions (p36). Stakeholders have provided an all-encompassing view of these thriving markets and highlighted where the sector should be looking next. Meanwhile, in the finance world, a damning short-seller report saw Sportradar move quickly to implement a crisis management strategy earlier this year (p32). Experts say the response has positioned the company positively in the view of investors. Further afield, Pagcor has entered a new era in a post-POGO Philippines, as the regulator prepares iGaming reforms aimed at reversing a recent dip in revenues (p70). There’s never a quiet week in gaming, and positives continue to shine through challenging times. Africa represents a new era of opportunity, and the future looks bright. Nicole Macedo Managing editor, EMEA Printed in the UK by Micropress Ltd. Published by iGaming Business Ltd, 3rd Floor, Bedford House, Fulham Green, 69-79 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JW, UK. www.igamingbusiness.com iGaming Business is published biannually © iGaming Business Ltd 2026. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in any retrieval system of any nature without prior written permission, except for permitted fair dealing under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988. Application for permission for use of copyright material including permission to reproduce extracts in other published works shall be made to the publishers. Full acknowledgement of author, publisher and source must be given. The paper used within this publication has been sourced from a Chain-of-Custody certified manufacturer, operating within international environmental standards such as ISO14001 and EMAS. This is to ensure sustainable sourcing of the raw materials, sustainable production and to minimise our carbon footprint. ISSN 1756-3437. Global content director, B2B Robin Harrison robin.harrison-millan@ worldgamingbusiness.com Managing editor, EMEA Nicole Macedo nicole.macedo@ worldgamingbusiness.com Senior Media Production Manager Guy Parsons Creative lead Theo Szarowicz Design Digitalstudioworldwide.com Emerging markets editor Kyle Goldsmith US news editor Jess Marquez Reporter Martin Bjørck Commercial content team Michelle Druker, Jake Nordland, James Swann-Phillips Managing director Alex Pratt Portfolio director Reid Holland reid.holland@clarionevents.com Sales director Ian Larcombe ian.larcombe@ worldgamingbusiness.com Account managers Kane Dalton, Laurie Pilate, Sam Richardson, Jack Rogers, Jordan Thompson, Josh Wright first name.last name@ worldgamingbusiness.com EDITOR'S LETTER SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS igamingbusiness. com/newsletter iGB L!VE 2026 • ISSUE 140 • 05 25 42 They’re surging in popularity across the pond and now Europe is grappling with the prediction markets boom The glamour, politics and downfall of Brazil’s golden casino agePrize draws are shedding their raffle roots and emerging as the industry’s latest success story. LUCK OF THE DRAW WHAT’S INSIDE • iGB L!VE 2026 A closer look at the operators, markets and opportunities driving Africa’s gaming growth. AFRICA IN FOCUS Provocative slot themes are driving clicks and controversy, but at what cost to the sector? SPIN DOCTORS 581636 CONTENTS igamingbusiness.com iGB L!VE 2026 • ISSUE 140 • 07 CONTENTS igamingbusiness.com REGULARS 05 Editor’s letter 10 News TECH & INNOVATION 12 The road to AI-assisted code CASINO & GAMES 16 A fringe market becomes mainstream 20 Cutting online slot RTP might be a market misstep SPORTS BETTING 25 Trading on uncertainty FEATURES 32 Fighting back against the shorts 36 Eyes on the prize 42 How Brazil lost its casinos 48 Inspired to acquire MARKETING & AFFILIATES 54 UK gambling’s great recalibration SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 58 Clickbait casino FINANCE 63 Finance bets on predictions 66 Still paying the price PEOPLE 70 Unlocking Pagcor’s potential REGULATION 74 Wiggin European regulatory roundup 80 Betting on compromise DATA 84 H2 iGaming and mobile dashboards 88 Top 50 gaming sites MARKETPLACE 90 Advertiser index READ YOUR DIGITAL VERSION AT IGAMING BUSINESS.COM LET’S GET DIGITAL X @IGAMINGBUSINESS LINKEDIN @IGAMING BUSINESS WHATSAPP 08 • ISSUE 140 • iGB L!VE 2026 LET’S GET SOCIAL 32Next >