Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN) announced that William Scott, Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, will speak at the 2026 SBC Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. Scott will participate in the panel “The Africa Advantage: High Growth, Fast Regulation, Huge Potential,” which opens the Global & Emerging Markets Stage on Tuesday, September 29 at 13:00 local time. The panel will examine how player preferences vary across African markets, which countries are expanding fastest, and how regulation is shifting 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 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 trajectory underscores the importance of understanding local market dynamics and regulatory frameworks. The panel will explore the role of mobile money platforms in player conversion, a critical factor in Africa where traditional banking infrastructure is often limited. Regulatory developments in key markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, and Uganda will also be a focus, highlighting the shift toward licensed operations and the challenges of compliance.
Meridian Holdings, through its flagship subsidiary Meridianbet, has an established presence in several African markets. Scott's experience navigating the continent's regulatory landscape and overseeing Meridian's international operations positions him to offer valuable insights. “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 implications of this announcement extend beyond Meridian Holdings. As Africa's iGaming market expands, operators that can adapt to diverse regulatory environments and leverage mobile money platforms will be best positioned to capture growth. The shift from grey to licensed markets suggests a maturing industry that could attract further investment and partnerships. For Meridian, participation in such high-profile discussions reinforces its commitment to regulated markets and could enhance its credibility with investors and regulators alike. The company operates across 25+ international regulated markets, with a B2C division led by Meridianbet Group and a B2B division comprising Expanse Studios and iGaming platform GMAG. Additional subsidiaries include RKings Competitions, MexPlay, and Classics for a Cause. Meridian'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. The original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com.
