Stormborn

How to play Stormborn

Independent analysis by Bettormetrics found Kambi partners either led or shared the lead on measures including time to market, live uptime and bet delay. It also outperformed its B2C and B2B competitors on live uptime in World Cup markets including over/unders on total goals.

“All the testing in the world cannot tell you precisely where you stand against the rest of the market on key aspects of the product,” Lamb says. “It was very positive to see Kambi as a leader in these key metrics.”

The way customers used the offering was equally instructive. Bets outside the match-winner market accounted for 63% of pre-match turnover, compared with 57% in 2022, reinforcing the importance of depth beyond traditional markets.

How to play Stormborn

There’s also a financial constraint, with Ahlberg noting that GiG has used its available cash and is raising additional capital to fund the 888Africa transaction, meaning he doesn’t expect the company to pursue further B2C acquisitions in the short term.

Robinson takes a more expansive view, however, arguing that the acquisition could mark the beginning of a broader shift in GiG’s strategy. “I’d read it as the start of something, not a one-off,” he says. “GiG’s survival as an independent business depends on consolidating in emerging markets where it can own the P&L, not just supply the technology.

“It’s worth remembering this isn’t foreign ground. GiG ran Rizk, Guts, Kaboo and Thrills until it sold them to Betsson in 2020 to pay down a bond. A previous regime decided B2C and B2B didn’t mix. The current one clearly thinks otherwise.”

About Stormborn

SmartSoft maintains an established and growing presence in Africa, having also co-hosted the iGB L!VE Africa Summit in July.

Through its membership with AiA, SmartSoft will participate in events such as regulatory discussions, strategic roundtables and research initiatives, alongside other operators and suppliers in the market.

SmartSoft CEO Guram Gotsadze said the company’s decision to join the AiA reflected its growing focus on the continent and its commitment to supporting the development of regulated and sustainable gaming markets.