Exclusive: Playtech’s Visionary Edge: Simon Munsamy Shares Playtech’s Path Forward in Africa
With his extensive experience and industry insights, Simon Munsamy, Managing Director at Playtech, will drive Playtech’s expansion strategy in the region, fostering closer ties with partners and driving growth. His leadership will be instrumental in shaping Playtech’s vision for the African market. “Playtech is a leading platform, content, and services provider in the gambling industry, and I am excited to be a part of their expansion into the African market,” said Simon Munsamy.
Simon Munsamy will focus on enhancing partnerships and establishing a robust presence in various jurisdictions across the African continent. His expertise will enable Playtech to deliver exceptional gaming experiences to the African audience, further solidifying its position as a market leader. “Playtech needs no introduction. They have always been at the forefront when it comes to innovation and changing the landscape in the gambling industry. I firmly believe, as a product man myself, that they have great content to be a massive success in Africa,” added Simon.
iGaming AFRIKA: Can you tell us about your journey and how you got involved with the gaming industry?
Simon Munsamy: Absolutely. My mum spent 17 years working in the gambling industry and this year marks my 18th year being actively involved and working in the only industry I’ve ever worked or been exposed to, and I have no regrets on my journey which has brought me to this point in my career. Horse racing was a big part of my family, having lived close to the racecourse (now known as Hollywoodbets Greyville), I can safely say that I was hooked in this industry from an early age.
My first role was an entry level job, straight out of high school where I worked as a bookmaker clerk. I probably earned the least but had the best time working in the branch, printing bet slip tickets for clients and soon becoming a punter myself, (which at that time was a popular and big betting contingency, not like the crash and casino games of today) but we certainly felt the adrenalin shouting our horse past the finish line. I was so entrenched in horse racing; my brain became an encyclopedia for horse racing data and form, and this eventually turned me into a profitable punter where I paid for my first degree which I did part time while working with my winnings from punting horses and sport. I didn’t see things any different and it was all in a day’s work. The occasional mistake was made but throughout my career, I was always surrounded by great mentors and managers, and I was a quick learner to avoid such mistakes moving forward.
I soon moved into Sports trading team, this was actually aligned with my first degree which was a B.com Degree in Risk Management and it was exciting managing the odds, adjusting the prices and monitoring the risk, If I thought I was living my best life before, this was a completely new level of excitement in the workplace, I got paid to watch sport, trade games which was an immersive experience to say the least since I was a massive sport fanatic, yes… there were days where I had mixed emotions, I remember the 2010 soccer world cup opener, it was South Africa vs Mexico; trading this game and offering live in play betting, We stood to lose a significant amount of money as an operator on South Africa on this match but it was an awesome experience when South Africa took the lead, A kind of moment that with forever stick with me, much like many South Africans and Africans where there was a collective and united front for Africa.
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I was given many opportunities in gaming, and each came with its own level of excitement, allowing me to level up, grow and take on new challenges as I gained more experience. I went from getting paid to watch live sport on tv and trade matches to travelling the world and watching live sport in person while taking on a different role in Igaming, it just got better and better. In 2017, with an incredible level of support from my current employer at the time, which was Hollywoodbets, I obtained my master’s degree in business administration, not only did Hollywoodbets pay for my studies, but they also gave me permission to write my thesis using their business as a case study for my dissertation in order for me to fulfil the requirements to obtain my MBA Degree. It was certainly a work hard, play hard industry and somehow, I still feel comfortable calling this industry my home. I spent a significant amount of time developing an incredible network of suppliers in gaming and establishing strong industry friendships, working through the covid pandemic to ensure we can enable and on board as many suppliers and 3rd party content providers as possible, I then switched to the B2B side of gaming and it’s been an amazing 5 years and counting, now developing a network of operators and licensees around the world. There is a level of self-reflection and appreciation for this industry which has shaped my character and when I look back, I can safely say, I always loved and enjoyed what I did.
Fast forward to 2024, I find myself going from a young boy working an entry level job in gaming to heading up the strategy for one of the biggest players in gaming in Playtech, a technologically driven and resourceful business that has made a firm commitment to making Africa a success. With a team of over 8 000 people across 20 countries, not only do I have a full team of professionals and subject matter experts to help with the African objectives, but we also intend on growing Africa with more of our very own people from within. I am excited for the future especially since I have a front seat on all the great products, services, and technology within Playtech that’s not only going to take Africa by storm but will dominate in the respective verticals we aim to compete in.
My journey in the gambling industry started early, influenced by my mother’s 17-year career in the field. This year marks my 18th year in the industry, and I have no regrets about the path I’ve taken. Growing up close to the racecourse now known as Hollywoodbets Greyville, horse racing played a significant role in my family’s life.
I started as a bookmaker clerk immediately after high school. Despite earning a modest salary, I thoroughly enjoyed printing bet slip tickets for clients and soon became a punter myself. At that time, horse racing was a major betting activity, unlike today’s focus on crash and casino games. The thrill of cheering my horse past the finish line truly something special. I became so immersed in horse racing that my knowledge turned into an encyclopedia of horse racing data and form. This expertise eventually made me a profitable punter, enabling me to finance my first degree, which I pursued part-time while working, using my winnings from betting on horses and sports. Although I made mistakes, I was fortunate to have excellent mentors and managers who guided me and helped me learn and avoid repeating those mistakes.
I soon moved into the sports trading team, which was a perfect fit with my degree in Risk Management. Managing the odds, adjusting prices, and monitoring risks brought a new level of excitement to my life. If I thought I was living my best life before, this role took it to a completely new level. I was paid to watch sports and trade games, which was an absolute dream for a sports fanatic like me. Of course, there were days of mixed emotions. I vividly remember the 2010 Soccer World Cup opener—South Africa vs. Mexico. Trading that game and offering live in-play betting was intense. As an operator, we stood to lose a significant amount on South Africa, but the sheer joy when South Africa took the lead made it an unforgettable moment. It was one of those rare instances where the entire continent felt united, a memory I’ll treasure forever.
I’ve had many opportunities in gaming, each bringing its own excitement and challenges. These roles allowed me to grow, advance, and take on new responsibilities as I gained more experience. I transitioned from getting paid to watch live sports on TV and trade matches to traveling the world and watching live sports in person while taking on different roles in iGaming. In 2017, with incredible support from my then-employer, Hollywoodbets, I obtained my master’s degree in Business Administration. Hollywoodbets not only funded my studies but also allowed me to write my thesis using their business as a case study for my dissertation. It was a work-hard, play-hard industry, and somehow, I still feel comfortable calling it my home.
Over the years, I built a strong network of suppliers and forged lasting industry friendships. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked tirelessly to onboard suppliers and third-party content providers. Switching to the B2B side of gaming five years ago has been an amazing journey, allowing me to develop a global network of operators and licensees. Reflecting on this journey, I feel immense gratitude for the industry that has shaped my character. Looking back, I can confidently say I’ve always loved and enjoyed what I do.
Fast forward to 2024, and I am now leading strategy in the Africa, for one of the biggest players in gaming; Playtech. This technology leader in the gambling industry has made a firm commitment to making Africa a success. With a team of over 7,900 colleagues across 20 countries, I am fortunate to have a full team of professionals and subject matter experts supporting our objectives within the region. Our aim is to advance Africa’s development by nurturing local talent and investing in its potential. I am incredibly excited about the future, especially with access to all the innovative products, services, and technology within Playtech that will not only make a significant impact in Africa but also excel in our respective verticals.
iGaming AFRIKA: What are the key factors driving the growth of the gambling industry in Africa?
Simon Munsamy: The African continent is incredibly resourceful and on the rise. This is evident across various macro-economic variables, and gaming is no exception. Africans are passionate sports fans, particularly when it comes to soccer/football. This passion, combined with the opportunity for life-changing bets, is a key driver of sports betting and entertainment in the region. Beyond sports, the instant gratification and simplicity of casino games (such as slots) and crash games offer a unique level of engagement and excitement for players. The continent is also rapidly developing, making significant strides in internet accessibility (from 2G to 5G and fibre connections) and smartphone availability. The reduction in cost barriers with basic entry-level smartphones has made digital mobile experiences more accessible to African players, contributing to the efficiency and growth driven by digital transformation.
iGaming AFRIKA: What challenges do international gambling operators face when entering the Africanmarket?
Simon Munsamy: In my experience, the biggest challenge for international stakeholders aiming to establish a presence in Africa and benefit from its booming iGaming market is the misconception of Africa as a single territory. In reality, Africa is a vast continent with 54 distinct countries, each with unique characteristics. Even countries that share borders can have vastly different iGaming needs. For example, one country might heavily rely on mobile money for payments, while another might not use mobile money at all. Similarly, a product like virtual sports might be extremely popular in one country but less so in another. Success in Africa requires understanding these differences and providing tailored solutions for each target market. Fortunately, Playtech offers a wide range of products and services, allowing us to effectively serve and support operators across the diverse African landscape.
iGaming AFRIKA: How effective are current regulations in curbing illegal gambling activities in Africa?
Simon Munsamy: The issue of illegal gambling is not to be taken lightly, nor is it something that can be easily managed or resolved overnight. I have seen a strong commitment from various stakeholders in the iGaming industry, including regulators, test labs, operators, and suppliers, to combat these activities. Eliminating illegal gambling is crucial for the sustainable growth of iGaming. It helps create a controlled ecosystem that fosters positive economic growth by generating more jobs, increasing regulated gaming revenue, and providing additional taxes and funding for socio-economic development. This, in turn, also uplifts local communities, which is the cornerstone of profitability for all iGaming stakeholders. We must always remember that it is the punters and local people who fund the entire operation, and we should never lose sight of this.
Read the full interview in our digital magazine below:
