Golden Whale, which builds machine-learning tools for iGaming operators, has made its first move into South Africa through a commercial partnership with PantherBet.

The deal brings Golden Whale’s Foundation platform to PantherBet’s combined sportsbook and casino. Foundation runs alongside an operator’s existing systems, analyses player data in real time and uses machine learning to choose the next action for each player. Its models are built for each operator and keep learning, and Golden Whale says they replace much of the manual, rules-based work that ties up CRM and marketing teams.

BonusPilot for reward timing

PantherBet will also use BonusPilot, a Foundation tool that reads player behaviour in real time to decide which reward or offer suits each player and when to send it. The aim is tighter control of bonus spend alongside a better player experience.

The partnership follows Golden Whale’s deal with Coolbet earlier this month.

A competitive market

South Africa is one of Africa’s largest regulated iGaming markets, with a fast-growing player base and an increasingly crowded operator field. PantherBet went live in the country in September 2025.

Eberhard Dürrschmid, CEO of Golden Whale, said:

“South Africa is one of the fastest-growing markets in Africa and is a key strategic target for our growth in the region.

“The most successful operators in any market are those who understand their player behaviour and how best to serve them. PantherBet is one of the most ambitious operators in South Africa, and we are delighted to be able to support their growth with decision intelligence built around its own data.”

Andrey Rozhkov, CEO of PantherBet, said:

“To remain competitive in South Africa, you need to be able to offer the best customer experiences on the market. Working with a company like Golden Whale will give us the insights and intelligent decision-making to enhance our customer experience.

“Our focus is on earning player trust and establishing ourselves as a strong competitor in the South African market, and this partnership with Golden Whale is a significant step forward for that goal.”