Today, we’re joined by Adriano Madella Amadei, Managing Director at BetCorrect, who brings over 23 years of experience in the iGaming industry.

Adriano offers valuable insights into the evolving iGaming landscape in Africa, sharing his perspective on recent developments across the continent. He also highlights emerging markets to focus on, whilst discussing the challenges companies face when hiring and retaining senior and C-level iGaming professionals in Africa.

Adriano (pictured) brings a wealth of experience in the iGaming industry, and has spent over 10 years living and working across multiple countries in Africa.

Can you share more about your background and your role at BetCorrect?

I’m Italian, born in Nairobi, Kenya, and studied Computer Science at Bristol University. My career in the betting industry began in 2000 at Coral Eurobet in Woking, Surrey. Since then, I’ve spent over 23 years in this sector, with 18 of those years in senior management roles within regulated markets. In 2014, I shifted my focus to Africa, initially working in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, and now Nigeria. As Managing Director at BetCorrect, I oversee our operations and strategic vision. We’re building one of Africa’s most innovative platforms, fully customized with unique elements to enhance user experience. I’m also excited about the game-changing releases we have planned for Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, which we believe will transform betting in this region.

What would you say has been the most significant development in terms of the iGaming landscape in Africa in recent years?

The rapid adoption of mobile technology has been transformative, enabling millions across Africa to engage with online sports betting. Alongside this, mobile money has played a critical role in the industry’s growth, offering a simple, stable, and accessible payment method that has made depositing and withdrawing funds seamless for users. This expansion in mobile technology and mobile money has also intensified competition, with operators investing in high-quality platforms and products specifically tailored to African markets. A well-localized product that aligns with local preferences is essential for success, and operators who prioritize this are thriving in Africa’s fast-evolving iGaming landscape.

There have been discussions about Africa implementing centralised gaming regulations, which would enable licensed sportsbooks to operate across multiple African countries. What are your thoughts on this?

Centralized gaming regulations may seem like a promising idea on paper, bringing consistency and potential cost savings for operators. However, implementing such a framework across diverse jurisdictions would involve significant challenges. The African gaming industry is maturing and now serves as a substantial source of internally generated revenue for many countries. It would be interesting to see how a centralized model could genuinely benefit each country individually, as the primary advantages currently appear to lean more toward operators. Additionally, for such a system to work, a robust technological framework would be essential to ensure seamless operations across borders. This is particularly challenging, given the technical issues often faced within individual countries. Achieving a unified system would require thorough planning and substantial investment to ensure the benefits are shared by all stakeholders, not just operators.

South Africa is recognised as a key market for operators seeking to establish or expand their online casino or sports betting businesses in Africa. However, are there any other emerging markets in the region that you would recommend keeping an eye on?

Absolutely, while South Africa is indeed a significant market, other countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana are also seeing strong growth. Nigeria, with the largest population in Africa, presents immense potential for operators, supported by a young, tech-savvy demographic and a strong sports culture. Kenya and Ghana are similarly vibrant but highly competitive markets, with regulatory landscapes that increasingly support online betting growth.

Beyond these, several smaller regions such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Gabon are interesting markets with less competition. However, navigating these markets can be more complex due to regulatory frameworks still in their early stages. Each of these regions offers unique opportunities for operators willing to engage with these developing landscapes, and at BetCorrect, we’re exploring how best to approach them as we continue our expansion strategy across Africa.

Could you highlight the challenges faced by Africa-based iGaming businesses in recruiting and retaining experienced industry talent for their teams?

Recruiting experienced talent in Africa can be challenging, particularly at the senior executive level, where only a handful of professionals have both the expertise and the willingness to work in this unique environment. Navigating African markets requires a deep understanding of local dynamics and finding leaders who can do so effectively is essential for success.

For non-senior roles, there is certainly a wealth of talent, especially in populous nations like Nigeria, which has over 200 million people. However, identifying and recruiting the right individuals in such large markets can be time-consuming. Partnering with recruitment agencies that specialize in the gaming sector or leveraging word-of-mouth referrals are effective strategies for connecting with skilled local talent.


We would like to thank Adriano Madella Amadei for joining us in this edition of BettingJobs News and for sharing his valuable insights into the dynamic and rapidly evolving iGaming landscape in Africa.

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