GAMING FOR AFRICA
Software Giant Oracle names SOFTSWISS Deputy CTO the Best in Africa with SA as Launchpad
SOFTSWISS, a global tech company and leading provider of software solutions for the iGaming industry, has announced that its Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Sergey Kastukevich, has been named CTO of the Year in the EMEA region at the 2025 Oracle Excellence Awards.
The Awards, organised by Oracle, the world’s second-largest software developer after Microsoft and the fourth-largest IT company globally, are run to celebrate global tech leaders that drive innovation, not just participate in it.
Past winners include CTO’s from companies such as Vodafone, Shiseido Company Limited, PayPal, and other respected, global enterprises. Sergey Kastukevich was praised by Oracle as a CTO who strategically utilises emerging technologies to advance SOFTSWISS’ key objectives, such as reducing operational costs,
enhancing system stability, and developing transformative products that benefit both the company and the broader industry. SOFTSWISS is actively expanding its presence across Africa, and has formally launched in South Africa. Oracle’s recognition of its Deputy CTO for
the entire EMEA region – which includes the African continent – underscores the strategic importance of this growth.
For SOFTSWISS, this award is more than a personal honour for Sergei Kastukevich – it reflects a broader vote of confidence in the company’s innovation-led approach as it builds business in one of the world’s most dynamic digital frontiers.” With over 15 years of expertise, SOFTSWISS delivers high-performance, secure, and scalable platforms supporting more than 1,200 brands worldwide.
“We take pride in our successful
collaboration with Oracle OCI, which allows us to implement innovative projects with high reliability and security,” says Kastukevich. Recognition at this prestigious Award in a region where SOFTSWISS conducts business is a significant achievement and a testament to the company’s leadership.
South Africa to Host Responsible Gambling Summit 2025: Uniting Stakeholders for Safe and Sustainable Gambling
The Responsible Gambling Summit 2025, landmark event dedicated to advancing ethical gambling practices, will take place on 13–14 November 2025 at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng. Organised by the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) in collaboration with leading regulatory bodies— including the Eastern Cape Gambling Board, KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulator Authority, Limpopo Gambling Board, Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board and the National Gambling Board—the summit will unite global experts, policymakers, industry leaders and NGOs to address critical challenges in fostering responsible gambling. The two-day event will focus on practical steps to protect consumers, support a sustainable gambling industry and improve community well-being. As gambling grows in South Africa, the event will highlight urgent issues like fair regulations, tech-driven solutions and partnerships with public health experts. Attendees will join keynote talks, panel debates, and hands-on workshops hosted by mental health specialists, regulators, and technology leaders.
Central to the summit’s mission is a solutions-driven agenda designed to turn discussions into measurable action plans. Progress on these initiatives will be tracked and reported biennially, ensuring accountability. The summit will also push for policies that match global standards while encouraging
industry stakeholders to work together and align efforts to reduce harm.
These efforts will focus on seven critical
areas: • Understanding Gambling Behaviour and Disorders: Investigating psychological drivers and evidence-based interventions for addiction.
• Challenges in Responsible Gambling Implementation: Tackling systemic barriers to effective policy enforcement.
• Innovation, Technology, and Responsible Gambling: Deploying AI and data analytics to
detect and mitigate risks.
• Regulation, Policy Development, and Compliance: Balancing global best practices with South Africa’s unique needs.
• Gambling and Vulnerable Populations: Safeguarding youth, low-income communities, and other at-risk groups.
• Public Awareness and Education: Building campaigns to empower informed decision- making.
• International Best Practices and Future Preparedness: Adapting global successes to local challenges.
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