Last week, our team at White Label Casinos had an amazing time attending NEXT.io Valletta, a much-anticipated event which brought together thousands of industry leaders. This two-day event was packed with industry insights, networking opportunities, and a touch of Maltese charm. Here’s a recap of our time there.
Making Waves at Our Exhibition Stand
Our exhibition stand was buzzing as we chatted with visitors and exhibitors alike. Whether discussing the intricacies of our white label casino solutions or just indulging in some good old-fashioned chit-chat, our team was all about spreading the White Label Casinos spirit. We even met some new faces interested in starting their very own white label casino, and made some new connections along the way.
Sasha Takes the Stage
A special shoutout to our very own Head of Casino and Affiliates, Sasha Boerma, who only recently came on board with us and brought with her a wealth of knowledge in digital and B2C marketing and affiliation, and smashed her panel discussions on two hot topics: Southern Africa: A Regulatory Conundrum or Thriving Regulated Opportunity? and East African Gambling Market: Trends, Challenges, and Future Prospects. Sasha’s insights were a hit, shedding light on the complexities and opportunities in these dynamic regions.
Key Takeaways from Sasha’s South Africa Panel:
- With seven provinces each having their own regulatory framework along with national regulations, grey market affiliate sites are highly profitable, making it extremely difficult for regulated casinos to source traffic.
- In South Africa, with the upcoming elections, the majority ruling party for the last 16 years looks to lose majority votes. They have been key in blocking the progress of online gaming. The opposition party has put forward new regulations to encourage online gaming and to create a positive, profitable online casino market.
- Huge tax revenue has been seen since slots and live games were included in sports books five years ago putting pressure on the government to ease regulations.
- The younger cohort of gamblers, 18-25 years, play up to 3,000 bets a day, responding to gamification that is simple and includes localised content.
- Since Sasha’s panel at SiGMA Africa, which regulators attended and heard the concerns and frustrations, strides have been made to change it in a few short months. (Props to Sasha)
Key Takeaways from Sasha’s West and East Africa Panel:
- The two key markets are Nigeria and Kenya, with others such as Ghana and Ethiopia to follow.
- Nigeria’s marketing spend should be focused on traditional methods such as TV, roadshows and influencers.
- Including cultural elements is key.
- Regulation in Kenya is starting to develop, albeit slowly.
- Bets are low, expect $1 bets, but it’s a mass market that is being targeted.
- Move away from traditional games and include gamification.
- Sportsbook is key focus.
- They are extremely profitable markets, but you need to heavily invest in getting to know your market.
- Getting to know your market will take at least a year. There’s no time for quick wins. Put in the work to reap the rewards.
Mingling with Industry Pros
But the fun didn’t stop with sharing our expertise in the exhibition halls. Our team mingled with industry peers at the evening networking events; it’s always a treat to see some familiar faces. These events were the perfect blend of professional and social, allowing us to forge stronger connections within the iGaming community.
The opportunities to make new connections and gain new business are great, but, if we’re all being honest here, the networking events are the highlight! They provided a relaxed setting where we could engage in deeper conversations, share ideas, and explore potential collaborations. Our team was thrilled to connect with so many talented and passionate individuals, discussing everything from industry trends to innovative strategies for future growth.
Looking Ahead
We left the conference feeling inspired and ready to tackle the rest of 2024 with renewed vigor.
The insights gained and connections made at NEXT.io Valletta have fueled our excitement for what lies ahead.
If you missed us at NEXT.io Valletta, do not fret. There are plenty more events on the horizon (SBC Lisbon anyone?) and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Stay tuned for more updates from White Label Casinos, and as always, if you’re looking to start your own white label casino, you know who to call. 😉