Mark Schmidt, Managing Director for Africa at EveryMatrix, sits down with NEXT.io. He discusses the realities of doing business in South Africa.
Mark Schmidt discusses responsible gambling challenges and why Kenya may be ahead of South Africa in some key areas. He also considers topics such as the prospect of online gambling reform and market consolidation.
Regulatory volatility remains one of the biggest barriers. The long-promised online gambling regulation in South Africa is a prime example for operators eyeing African iGaming growth.
Schmidt said that everyone’s been talking about it for years. The makeup of the South African government, because it consists of so many parties, is arguably less stable than others.
Schmidt said when asked about the gambling reform plans of the country that when it comes to gambling regulation, that means it could either take five years or be added into law tomorrow.
For context, in April 2024 the DA or the Democratic Alliance, then in opposition, introduced a new online gambling legislation to parliament of the country.
The ANC (African National Congress) and the Democratic Alliance are the two strongest parties. Following elections in May, South Africa formed a 10-party coalition.
EveryMatrix is doubling down on Africa, in spite of the legislative limbo. The supplier previously opened a new office in Ballito, on the east coast of South Africa. It is now hiring for commercial and account management roles.
Right now, Schmidt is the only team member on the ground. He expects staff numbers to grow to eight or 10 in the short term. Nevertheless, he’s quick to point out that EveryMatrix isn’t chasing scale in every corner of the continent.
The company is focusing on markets with strong omni-channel potential and player familiarity. This is especially true in Francophone West and Central Africa.
