South African entrepreneurs have played a major role in founding and developing the online casino industry. Many South Africans became involved in the early days of online casinos, starting in the late 1990s. They were instrumental in establishing many areas of the industry including software development, operations, marketing, graphic design, and payment processing. Payment processing methods such as payment gateways and types of banking methods are a part of South African business innovations.
Seeing opportunities South African entrepreneurs, recognised there was growth potential in the industry and worked to establish concrete foundations for other companies around the world.
Microgaming Proves South Africa's Leadership in Online Casinos
South Africa's most significant players and roots are in Microgaming as well as other well known South African founded casino operator companies. These companies handle customer service, marketing, payment processing and sometimes software development for casino owners.
A Durban entrepreneur—Martin Moshal, founded Microgaming. The company launched in 1994. While it is based in the Isle of Man for their software development and casino products its roots are heavily in South Africa. Microgaming provides casino, mobile, bingo, poker, sportsbook, live dealer, land-based, and network gaming platforms. Already they have offered the world 700 unique casino games with over 1,200 variants.
Their mobile range has increased to 110 dedicated games with 33 download options for Android and 45 HTML 5 versions. Microgaming is a real credit to South African talents with awards earned every year since their beginning.
Powerful SA Casino Operators
Many of the largest casino operators are still based in South Africa or retain a very strong connection to the country. For example Carmen Media, which is based in Cape Town, runs various top Microgaming casinos through Belle Rock Gaming Branding.
Osiris Trading is another company located in Johannesburg. They operate some of the biggest online casinos utilising Microgaming software like Fortune Lounge Brands including Royal Vegas Casino.
South Africans founded the Palace Group operating out of London. They run big brands such as Spin Palace Casino and Betway Sports and Casino. Other important groups are Silver Sands and Genesys Group, which are Betonsoft Software casinos.
Graphic Design Companies from South Africa
Software development and graphic design go hand in hand for casino operations. One of the most successful and respected graphic design companies is Vegas Kings. They are essential to the entire global online gambling industry with their roots in Cape Town.
Vegas Kings started in 1998, under the direction of the Adir Brothers, Moshe and Ashley. Now Vegas Kings offers iGaming Creative Agency as their next innovation for design and development in online gaming. With over 16 years in business and 100 of the top online brands like casino, bingo, sports, and poker they have made a name for themselves.
Clear Evidence that South Africans Helped Make the Casino Industry
It is clear from the evidence that South Africans have helped make the online casino industry what it is today. Company headquarters' may have moved for some of the more important online casino providers like Microgaming, but this does not change the roots or the foundation of innovations these companies provided and continue to offer.
Other opinions may disagree that just because someone from South Africa or located in South Africa began the innovative process it does not mean there is enough evidence to support the statement that South African entrepreneurs are pioneers of the online casino gambling industry. Yet Microgaming, Palace Group, Osiris Trading, Vegas Kings, and others are definitely deeply rooted in South Africa.
The next step laid out by Vegas Kings is very clear—mobile versions of their software. Microgaming and Vegas Kings are helping to lead the way towards innovative mobile software both in games and graphic design.
The only disadvantage is with all the innovation and current help with customer service and payment services, South African players are not allowed to have real money accounts at Microgaming casinos. Licensing issues prevent players from being a part of the oldest and top software provider founded by a South African. Despite this drawback South African players can enjoy real money play at several other online casinos as mentioned on GamblingAfrica.com. Recommendations provided will help South African customers find some great places to play their favourite online casino games from some of the best South African led companies and groups.