Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN) announced that William Scott, Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in a panel at the 2026 SBC Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. The panel, titled “The Africa Advantage: High Growth, Fast Regulation, Huge Potential,” will take place on September 29 at 13:00 local time on the Global & Emerging Markets Stage. Scott will be joined by executives from 888Africa, SportPesa, Maybets, and Kingmakers to discuss Africa's rapidly evolving iGaming landscape.
The discussion arrives as Africa emerges 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. This growth is driven by increasing mobile penetration, shifting regulatory frameworks, and a young, tech-savvy population. The panel will examine how player preferences vary across markets, which countries are expanding fastest, and how regulations are steering activity from the grey market toward licensed operators.
Scott's participation is significant because Meridianbet, Meridian Holdings' flagship sports betting and gaming subsidiary, already operates in several African markets. His insights will draw from firsthand experience navigating the continent's regulatory landscape and overseeing Meridian's 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,” Scott said. “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 will also explore the role of mobile money platforms in player conversion, a critical factor in Africa where traditional banking infrastructure is limited. Regulatory developments in key markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, and Uganda will be scrutinized, as each country adopts distinct approaches to licensing and oversight. These shifts present both opportunities and challenges for operators seeking to establish a compliant presence.
Meridian Holdings, headquartered in Las Vegas, operates across more than 25 international regulated markets. Its B2C division, led by Meridianbet Group, was founded in 2001 and holds licenses in Europe, Africa, and South America. The B2B division includes game developer Expanse Studios and iGaming platform GMAG, which develop and distribute proprietary gaming technology globally. Additional subsidiaries include RKings Competitions in the UK, MexPlay in Mexico, and Classics for a Cause in Australia. The company’s software automatically declines gaming or redemption requests originating in the United States, ensuring strict compliance with U.S. law.
Scott’s appearance at the SBC Summit underscores Meridian’s commitment to expanding its footprint in high-growth regions. As Africa’s iGaming market matures, operators that engage with regulators and adapt to local preferences will be best positioned to capture market share. The panel offers a platform for Meridian to showcase its expertise and reinforce its strategy of sustainable, compliant growth. For more information, visit www.meridian-holdings.com.
