Shacks Evolution Studios has expanded its presence in Africa after launching its games on Nigeria-based betting operator Bet9ja. The partnership gives Bet9ja customers access to the Nigerian studio’s portfolio of locally developed casino games.
Shacks Evolution Studios made the statement on LinkedIn, where they verified that Bet9ja is currently operational. According to the company, the merger represents a significant turning point in its growth plan and reflects efforts made since 2022 to develop games especially for African users.
Bet9ja adds African developed games
Shacks Evolution Studios’ collection is now accessible to Bet9ja users via the operator’s platform. The portfolio consists of instant win games designed for African markets as well as crash games with ethnic influences.
According to the studio, the collection features games developed with local themes and mobile-first technology to suit player choices and internet conditions across the continent. The company said its portfolio now serves markets including Nigeria, Kenya and Cameroon, while also working with operators such as Betway and 1xBet. The Bet9ja launch adds another major operator to that list.
Founder Ayofemi Panshack Akinlaja said Bet9ja customers can now play the studio’s culturally themed crash games and instant win titles directly through the operator’s lobby. He added that the partnership represents another step in the company’s plan to expand the availability of African developed gaming content.
Focus on localised gaming
Shacks Evolution Studios said it has focused on developing African themed games since 2022. The company designs games around local culture while also optimising them for mobile devices and lower data consumption, representing the way many players across Africa access online gaming services.
The studio said its games are built to deliver faster loading times on smartphones while incorporating themes that are familiar to players across several African markets. This approach has supported its expansion into several countries as demand grows for locally produced gaming content.
Growing footprint across Africa
Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Lagos, Shacks Evolution Studios develops gaming products and technology for bookmakers, casinos, lottery operators and sports entertainment businesses. Its portfolio includes titles such as Matatu, TroTro, Crashlite and Worldcup, alongside other games tailored for African players.
As the studio continues to grow throughout regulated African gambling markets, it has struck a number of commercial agreements, including the Bet9ja collaboration. The most recent integration boosts its distribution network through another top operator and raises the visibility of its items among one of the biggest player bases on the continent.
With its games now available on Bet9ja, Shacks Evolution Studios has further extended its presence in Africa’s online gaming sector while continuing to supply locally developed content to major operators across the region.
Nigeria remains a key gaming market
Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest regulated gaming markets, with online betting and casino operators continuing to expand their digital offerings. Growth in smartphone use, wider internet access and digital payment services has increased demand for mobile gaming products, encouraging operators to add new content to their platforms. Sports betting remains the largest segment of the market, while virtual games and online casino products continue to gain traction among players.
Nigeria urged players to avoid unlicensed gaming platforms
In April, Nigeria’s Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) issued a warning to players across the state about illegal gaming operators, urging them to avoid unlicensed platforms.
The Authority identified 59 illegal and unlicensed gaming operators targeting players. It said the operators were active within Lagos State and across member states of the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN), where reciprocity arrangements were in place.
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