Photo: iGaming AFRIKA
As the digital gambling landscape evolves, 2025 is poised to be another significant year for crash games, particularly in Africa. The industry’s players are not only witnessing a surge in engagement but also becoming increasingly attuned to the importance of responsible gaming practices.
At a recent panel discussion moderated by James Torvaney, Founder, Next Gen Affiliates at ICE Barcelona 2025, industry experts shared insights and predictions, emphasizing the continuous growth of crash games and the emphasis on responsible gambling across the continent.
Olabimpe Akingba, the Regional Manager of Africa at Mchezo Limited, opened the discussion by shedding light on the industry’s current focus. “I would say the trend that is most exciting to me and that I feel that we’ll see more of this year, is increased focus in responsible gaming,” she stated.
Akingba highlighted the efforts made by operators and regulators to provide safer gaming tools and protect consumers, ultimately aiming to shift the narrative around gambling in Africa.
Related Articles
-
Lessons from Monopoly Markets on Enforcing Responsible Gaming in Africa’s Evolving Landscape -
Onlyplay verified as Provably Fair Game Provider -
Digitain Triumphs at ICE Barcelona, Winning Two Prestigious iGaming Industry Awards -
Shaping the Future of Esports: ICE Esports Arena provides essential insights
Martin Sack, an iGaming Consultant and a seasoned professional in the gambling space, agreed with Akingba about the promising outlook for responsible gaming. However, he was particularly enthusiastic about crash games, which he believes will continue to dominate this year. “I think this year is still a year of crash. It’s going to keep going. I believe that nothing is going to overtake it this year,” he proclaimed.
Sack noted that crash games are especially appealing to younger audiences seeking instant gratification, remarking, “The style and the way people are playing casino in Africa has absolutely changed.” This sentiment reflects the broader trend of rapid gaming evolution, where speed and excitement take precedence.
When discussing the underlying mechanics of crash games, Sack expressed a yearning for slow-paced traditional gaming but admitted, “Truthfully, growth is there, but it’s slow. It’s slow compared to crash and the like.” This recognition points to a dual reality in the market: as some players gravitate towards nostalgia, many are swept up in the fast-paced thrill of crash games.
Emily Asava, Regional Business Development Manager at SA Gaming also joined in the discussion, emphasizing the changing dynamics within the regulatory framework. “I am so happy that this year I have seen more regulators from Africa coming to ICE,” Asava asserted. She conveyed optimism that well-informed regulators can effectively guide the industry’s growth while adapting to technological advancements.
Connor Williams, Director at Velo Capital Partners, pointed out the potential for high dopamine, low-fidelity games like crash to resonate with the mobile-first nature of African players. “Africa is probably one of the best proponents and actual sort of utility users of crypto,” he noted. Williams drew attention to the increasing digital integration through mobile devices and how that trend benefits crash games. “I think a lot of the global gaming trends point to mobile rather than laptop, PC or anything like that,” he added, strengthening the case for crash as a central player in Africa’s digital gambling market.
Rusudan Javakhishvili, Vice President of Commercial at SmartSoft, highlighted the importance of acknowledging Africa’s diversity when discussing market strategies. “We can talk about East, we can talk about West… that would probably be, for me, the more interesting thing where the slots are going to go,” she said, acknowledging the variety of player preferences across different regions.
Rusudan pointed out the substantial engagement crash games get through their platform in diverse markets, stating, “We want to continue this way, especially for the African market. We think that Africa, compared to other markets, loves new things a lot.”
Copyright 2025 Media-Tech iGaming Technology Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.igamingafrika.com as the source.