Merry Xmas

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As Macquarie analyst Chad Beynon points out, prediction markets generated $4.3 billion in taker volume during the first week of September without any help from the NFL, building on momentum from the 2026 World Cup. However, the NFL’s impact was immediate, with taker volume hitting a daily record during Week 1 of the campaign.

With all that in mind, it’s not surprising that Macquarie expects sports event contracts will drive approximately 80% of taker volume this year, but Beynon sees other categories growing over the long term.

“We expect non-sports categories such as economics, politics, crypto, and entertainment to gain share over time,” says the analyst.

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“Ultimately, our focus is not only on representation, but on fostering an environment where everyone has the opportunity to contribute, develop and succeed,” Yaxley says.

A key question around DEI has long been how the gambling sector can attract diverse talent. Increasingly, however, attention has shifted to whether it can retain the people it attracts.

“One misconception is that DEI is solely about recruitment targets,” Skinner says. “Recruitment is important, but bringing diverse people into an organisation without creating an inclusive culture simply results in higher turnover.”

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“The campaign may run for a week, but responsible gambling must be practiced throughout the year.”

Each day of Africa Safer Gambling Week has centred on a different issue around player protection, including responsible gambling and the prevention of underage gambling.

Kesitilwe acknowledges that while Africa is one continent, it is also hugely diverse in terms of markets with different realities across regulatory structures and social contexts.