Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN) announced that William Scott, Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in a panel titled “The Africa Advantage: High Growth, Fast Regulation, Huge Potential” at the 2026 SBC Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. The panel, scheduled for Tuesday, September 29 at 13:00 local time, will open the Global & Emerging Markets Stage and feature senior operators examining regional player preferences, the fastest-expanding markets, and regulatory shifts moving activity from the grey market to licensed operators. Scott will be joined by Christopher Coyne, CEO of 888Africa; Jason Gibson, Chief Commercial Officer of SportPesa; Aggrey Sayi, CEO of Maybets; and Ronnie Whelan, CEO of Kingmakers.
The discussion comes as Africa solidifies its position as one of the fastest-growing regions in global iGaming. According to iGaming Business, the continent's online betting and gaming market is projected to grow from $12.7 billion in 2026 to $19.4 billion by 2030—a 53% increase that signals substantial opportunity for operators and investors. The panel will explore the role of mobile money platforms in player conversion across the continent, as well as regulatory developments in key markets including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, and Uganda. These factors are critical as international operators seek to navigate a complex patchwork of regulations and capitalize on rising consumer demand.
Meridianbet, Meridian Holdings’ flagship sports betting and gaming subsidiary, maintains an established presence across several African markets. Scott will bring insights from his experience navigating the continent’s regulatory landscape in addition to his oversight of Meridian’s broader international operations. “Africa represents one of the most compelling growth stories in our industry right now, and it’s an opportunity we’ve been building toward for years,” said Scott. “I’m looking forward to sharing perspective alongside operators who, like Meridian, are working directly with regulators and players across these markets and discussing what it takes to build a sustainable, compliant business as this region continues to mature.”
The panel’s focus on mobile money is particularly significant because it addresses a key driver of financial inclusion and player conversion in African markets where traditional banking infrastructure is limited. By highlighting regulatory developments, the discussion also underscores the importance of compliance and responsible growth as governments tighten oversight. For Meridian Holdings, participation reinforces its strategic commitment to Africa and positions the company as a thought leader in a region poised for exponential expansion.
Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN), headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, is an established B2B and B2C gaming technology group operating across 25+ international regulated markets. The Company’s B2C division is led by Meridianbet Group, a leading online sports betting and gaming operator founded in 2001 and licensed across Europe, Africa, and South America. Meridian’s B2B division—comprising game developer Expanse Studios and iGaming platform GMAG—develops, licenses, and distributes proprietary gaming technology to a global client base. Additional subsidiaries include RKings Competitions (pay-to-enter prize competitions in the UK), MexPlay (regulated online casino in Mexico), and Classics for a Cause (Australia’s leading subscription-based digital memberships and trade-promotion lottery). The Company’s software automatically declines gaming or redemption requests originating in the United States, in strict compliance with U.S. law. For more information, visit www.meridian-holdings.com or email ir@meridian-holdings.com.
As Africa’s iGaming market continues to evolve, Meridian’s participation at SBC Summit Lisbon highlights the company’s proactive approach to engaging with regulators and operators. The insights shared by Scott and his peers could shape strategies for entering and expanding in these high-potential markets, making this panel a must-attend for industry stakeholders.
