SmartSoft joins African iGaming Alliance as Gold Supplier Member

SmartSoft has joined the African iGaming Alliance (AiA) as a Gold Supplier Member, giving the iGaming technology provider a formal role in the association's work across African gambling markets.

The Georgia-based company will take part in selected regulatory discussions, policy consultations, research projects and industry roundtables organised through the AiA.

Its membership also includes participation in the Supplier Advisory Forum and relevant responsible gambling initiatives.

SmartSoft takes part in industry discussions

Through its new membership, SmartSoft is expected to contribute its technology and market experience to discussions involving the development of regulated gambling markets across Africa.

The areas covered by the membership include B2B licensing, market access, responsible gambling, taxation, channelisation, sustainable regulation and efforts to address illegal gambling.

Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, chief executive of the African iGaming Alliance, said suppliers have an important role to play in discussions about the development of gambling markets on the continent.

According to Kesitilwe, technology providers bring practical experience that can contribute to conversations between regulators, operators and other industry stakeholders.

He also pointed to SmartSoft's existing presence in African markets as relevant to its involvement in discussions around licensing, regulation, responsible gambling and market access.

AiA focuses on regulated gambling

The African iGaming Alliance describes itself as a pan-African association representing licensed betting and gaming operators.

The organisation works with regulators, governments, industry groups and other stakeholders on issues affecting regulated gambling markets. Its areas of interest include responsible gambling, taxation, enforcement and measures aimed at reducing illegal betting and gaming.

The association says its members hold licences across 20 African countries, giving it a role in discussions concerning regulatory development across multiple markets.

Illegal gambling remains a key issue

SmartSoft's membership comes as the AiA continues to focus on the challenges created by illegal and unlicensed gambling.

The association has identified enforcement, responsible gambling, taxation and channelisation as areas where cooperation between industry participants and regulators is needed.

The new membership does not introduce a new gambling regulation or licensing framework. Instead, SmartSoft will participate in the AiA's existing regulatory, research and policy activities.

The announcement also follows the AiA's Africa Safer Gambling Week, which focused on cooperation and practical approaches to safer gambling, including concerns linked to illegal and unlicensed operators.

SmartSoft strengthens its African focus

SmartSoft was founded in Georgia in 2015 and provides B2B iGaming software and gaming products to international markets.

The company says Africa forms part of its wider international strategy. Chief executive Guram Gotsadze said joining the AiA gives SmartSoft an opportunity to contribute its experience to discussions around regulation, licensing and responsible gambling.

Gotsadze also described the membership as part of the company's longer-term commitment to the African market.

No new market entry announced

The membership announcement does not include details of a new commercial agreement, product launch or specific African market entry for SmartSoft.

Instead, the company's role is centred on participation in the AiA's industry activities, including relevant consultations, research initiatives, forums and roundtables.

No individual African jurisdiction has been named as the focus of SmartSoft's new membership, and the announcement does not indicate any changes to existing gambling regulations.

For SmartSoft, the membership provides a platform to participate in industry discussions as African gambling markets continue to develop their regulatory and commercial frameworks.