SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
VeliTech CEO Giorgi Aleksidze sits down with SBC News to chat about all things South Africa. After identifying the market as a key growth opportunity, the provider of sports betting and online casino solutions opened an office in South Africa in January 2025 with a local team ready to support clients.
SBC News: What are VeliTech plans for the South African market and how will you position yourself in the market?
Giorgi Aleksidze: South Africa is a key market that requires both strong technology and a deep understanding of local dynamics. The plan isn’t just to bring in a platform but to embed ourselves in the market, working side by side with operators to solve real challenges.
A big part of this is our local South African team, ensuring operators get more than just a platform—they get real-time support, deep market expertise, and adaptable technology built for local challenges. We’re already working with operators like Chopbet, Bettabets, and Casongo across Africa, refining our solutions to deliver proven 8x GGR growth potential and a 15% DAU boost for emerging markets.
SBC: How does South Africa fit in with VeliTech global strategy and existing market dynamics?
GA: South Africa is a key piece of the puzzle. Expansion isn’t about planting flags—it’s about finding markets where technology and expertise can truly make a difference. With a well-established sports betting sector and growing interest in online casino gaming, South Africa offers the right mix of maturity and future potential.
Our products are designed for emerging markets, ensuring operators can scale efficiently while navigating local regulatory and player demands. South Africa is also a strategic entry point into the broader African region, where demand for seamless omnichannel gaming experiences is rapidly increasing.
SBC: How does VeliTech decide which new markets to enter and what makes South Africa such an enticing place to do business?
GA: Market entry is always strategic, based on regulation, operator demand, and scalability. South Africa has a strong regulatory framework, a competitive operator landscape, and a tech-savvy player base—making it a perfect fit for VeliTech adaptable solutions.
Success here isn’t just about technology but execution. VeliTech was born from real-world operator needs, built to handle high-volume transactions, local payment methods, and player engagement. This level of flexibility is critical in a market like South Africa, where operators must remain agile in a fast-evolving industry.
SBC: What demonstrable benefits does VeliTech solutions offer to operators on a global basis and how can you translate this success into South Africa?
GA: What sets VeliTech apart is unlimited personalisation and unmatched reliability. Our platform allows adapting in real-time to player behaviour, allowing operators to create highly tailored bonuses, engagement campaigns, and retention strategies without limitations. This has led to a 20% increase in player LTV for our partners, proving that personalisation drives real revenue impact.
Reliability is equally crucial—our system ensures 99.95% uptime and ultra-low latency (32–54ms), handling 4,500 wallet transactions per second and 60,000+ bets per minute. Whether it’s peak sports events or high-traffic casino sessions, operators in South Africa can count on seamless performance without downtime or delays.
SBC: What is it about the VeliTech range of solutions that suit the needs of South African operators?
GA: Retention is one of the biggest challenges for operators, and VeliTech tackles this with a comprehensive bonus engine and advanced engagement automation.
Our bonus engine delivers free bets, cashback, freespins, loyalty points, and tournaments instantly, allowing operators to execute high-impact promotions without delays. What sets us apart is our engagement automation, powered by real-time data updates. Unlike competitors that refresh player data only once per hour, our no-code CRM VeliEDGE processes player actions instantly, enabling operators to trigger offers, adjust campaigns, and personalise engagement in the moment—maximising retention and lifetime value.
SBC: What can you tell us about consumer demands in South Africa and how does this influence which of your solutions you will push the most?
GA: South African players know what they want. Mobile-first, fast transactions, and exciting gaming experiences—these are the non-negotiables. Sports betting dominates, but there’s growing curiosity about casino games, and operators need to be ready for that shift. The focus is on providing solutions that make betting effortless, rewarding, and engaging.
SBC: Tell us about the mix of sports betting and online casino gaming in South Africa and how does this impact your strategy?
GA: “Sports betting dominates, with football, rugby, and cricket leading player engagement. However, online casinos are gaining traction, and operators need to be ready for this shift. Our strategy is to provide a scalable, future-ready platform that allows operators to manage both sportsbook and casino seamlessly. Real-time cross-sell mechanics, AI-driven retention tools, and integrated payments ensure operators maximise player value across both verticals.”
SBC: South Africa is often tipped as a market with untapped potential – how big of an opportunity does this market offer you?
GA: The potential is massive. South Africa is one of the most developed gaming markets in Africa, yet there’s still so much room for growth. Smartphone penetration is increasing, internet access is expanding, and players are demanding better digital experiences. This creates a perfect storm for innovation. Operators who optimise every part of their business—from smart segmentation to seamless cash-based payments—will have a major advantage. VeliTech expertise in high-growth, regulated markets makes it the perfect partner for South African operators looking to scale efficiently.
SBC: What can we expect to see from VeliTech in South Africa and beyond during 2025?
GA: 2025 is about momentum. Expect to see more operator partnerships, more innovation in gamification and player engagement, and a stronger presence in African gaming. You’ll see VeliTech actively collaborating with operators, shaping strategies, and introducing solutions that give them a real competitive edge.
We’re also going to be present at key industry events, including SiGMA Africa in March 2025, where we’ll be showcasing our latest innovations and connecting with industry leaders. The market is evolving fast, and we’re here to help operators stay ahead of the game.
