Since its creation in 2005, Play’n GO has risen, inexorably, to iGaming prominence.

Now boasting a portfolio of 350-plus globally popular titles, and having created the first real-money mobile slot, along with numerous pioneering mechanics–like grid slots–, this internationally-acclaimed studio has consistently raised the bar for innovation – and captivated players across more than 30 jurisdictions.

Like all industry leaders, Play’n GO’s journey to the top hasn’t been a random gamble but rather a strategic set of calculated moves. The most recent has seen the developer zeroing-in on the South African market.

With G2E 2024 approaching, iGamingFuture took a golden opportunity to speak with Stuart Trigwell, Play’n GO’s Director of Business Development.

So join us today as iGF’s Curtis Roach gets the inside scoop on Play’n GO’s recent expansion, their upcoming game releases, and learns how the company’s emphasis on low-data, high-impact gaming experiences is helping it lead the iGaming charge.

Play’n GO has recently had an exciting new launch in South Africa. Why was it so important to have a presence in this region? What do you see as the key growth drivers for online casino in South Africa?

“The growth of iGaming in South Africa has been remarkable in recent years. We have a publicly stated goal of being active in every regulated market in the world, of which South Africa is one. And it made perfect sense to enter the market with one of the leading operators, Betway.

“As with every market we enter, we believe our content will drive our growth. We genuinely believe that we offer the best online casino gaming experience in the world, and early indications suggest players in South Africa are of a similar opinion.

“We’re already exploring ways to expand in the country, and we’re very grateful to Betway for their assistance and support in entering South Africa. You’ll be seeing plenty of Play’n GO in the nation for many years to come.”

When it comes to iGaming, it’s well-known that Africa skipped the desktop generation and went straight to mobile. Also, the price of data is constantly getting lower but still relatively high compared to the average European jurisdiction. How does this impact the way Play’n GO develops its games?

“In truth, we develop our games for a global audience and were, in fact, the first games studio to create games for mobile back in 2005, so this feature of the African market does not impede Play’n GO’s success. Our game content is very diverse, and it’s been interesting to see some of our titles with more classic mechanics, such as Fire Joker, perform very strongly in the region.

“Another aspect of our success in the region is likely to be the light build of our games.

“Play’n GO titles are typically not overly demanding on data, which mitigates against limited user resources. This pattern will continue and likely increase in the coming months as we release further game content. We’re confident that this will strengthen our offering in the African region.”

Play’n GO is renowned for its global presence, creating successful partnerships in over 30 jurisdictions worldwide. How will the experience gained from working in more mature markets be leveraged to create value for the African demographic and ensure successful market entry into other African countries?

“The key to success anywhere is understanding the needs of the specific market.

“As mentioned, we design our content to appeal globally, which it does to great success. This means only minor tweaks are needed commercially.

“We offer the best, most diverse range of games in the online casino gaming industry. Between this and extensive market research and collaboration with our local operator partners, as well as a commitment to innovation and development, we’re confident of success in every market we enter.”

Are there any other African jurisdictions you’re interested in for potential partnerships? Do you have a planned growth strategy for this part of the iGaming world?

“As previously highlighted, we want to be active in every regulated market in the world, and continental Africa is no different. The most obvious example is South Africa, and we’re exceptionally pleased with how things are going there at the moment.