Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN) announced that William Scott, Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, will speak at the 2026 SBC Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, from September 29 to October 1. Scott will join the panel “The Africa Advantage: High Growth, Fast Regulation, Huge Potential,” opening the Global & Emerging Markets Stage on Tuesday, September 29 at 13:00 local time. The panel features senior operators including 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 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 rapid expansion underscores the importance of understanding local player preferences, the role of mobile money platforms in player conversion, and regulatory developments in key markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, and Uganda.
Scott's participation highlights Meridian's strategic focus on Africa. Meridianbet, the company's flagship sports betting and gaming subsidiary, maintains an established presence across several African markets. Scott will bring insights from navigating the continent's regulatory landscape and overseeing 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,” 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's focus on regulation is critical as African markets shift from grey to licensed operations. This transition creates opportunities for compliant operators like Meridian, which holds licenses across Europe, Africa, and South America. The company's B2C division, Meridianbet Group, was founded in 2001 and has deep experience in regulated markets. Meridian's B2B division, comprising game developer Expanse Studios and iGaming platform GMAG, further positions the company to capitalize on the continent's growth by providing proprietary technology to global clients.
Meridian Holdings, headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, operates across 25+ international regulated markets. Its diverse portfolio includes 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. For more information, visit www.meridian-holdings.com.
Scott's participation at the SBC Summit signals Meridian's commitment to shaping the future of African iGaming. As the market matures, operators that engage with regulators and leverage mobile money solutions will be best positioned to capture growth. The panel provides a platform to discuss these dynamics and reinforce Meridian's role as a leading international operator.
