The agreement with Hollywoodbets opens a new region for Gaming Realms during a period of expansion into regulated markets and an extension of its distribution approach. The South Africa launch places the studio’s Slingo games in front of a new market through one of the most recognizable betting and gaming brands in the country. Slingo Sweet Bonanza, Slingo XXXtreme, and Slingo Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania are now available to play with Hollywoodbets.
The deal gives Gaming Realms a live case study in a jurisdiction already identified as part of its expansion strategy for 2026. The company has stated that it is currently active in more than 30 regulated markets, and its corporate updates indicate that it is launching at a steady rate across numerous regions.
Why Hollywoodbets Is a Logical Entry Partner
With Hollywoodbets, Gaming Realms gains instant access to a local operator with extensive reach across both online and brick-and-mortar platforms. The partnership was made possible through Light & Wonder’s local aggregation solution, which might have helped speed up the path to market, particularly for a first-time launch in the country.
The online gaming platform of Hollywoodbets already hosts several Slingo games from Gaming Realms, including brand-name releases that feature popular video game franchises. So far, this partnership looks like a functional distribution deal.
What the Launch Signals for 2026
Gaming Realms has described the agreement as part of a broader strategy of entering new regulated markets, while Hollywoodbets has emphasized the format’s appeal to a wide range of players. This combination suggests a win-win for both parties. Slingo is a format that falls between slots and strategy games, which gives operators a slightly different content angle than a straight slots expansion.
For market observers, this launch could possibly become an entry template that Gaming Realms can replicate in other parts of Africa. Having a local heavyweight operator, an aggregation platform in place, and a recognizable set of Slingo titles makes for a relatively low-risk route into a new market. If the player adoption is strong enough in South Africa, the agreement could prove significant well beyond the scope of this single operator partnership.
