Choice Gaming booth damaged by overnight fire at SiGMA Africa Summit
No official cause has been confirmed, though early reports point to a possible electrical fault in the booth’s set-up.
South Africa.- An overnight fire damaged Choice Gaming’s exhibition booth at the SiGMA Africa summit, held March 3–5, at Cape Town’s GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World. The blaze also affected adjacent booths of CreedRoomz, 22BET and Melbet, all companies involved in online gaming, betting and live casino services.
The incident occurred late on March 4 or early March 5, after the day’s activities had ended. Maxim Afanasyev, a Director at Sportradar and former Chief Product Officer at Liga Stavok, first shared details on his Telegram channel. He posted that the Choice Gaming stand “burnt down last night at SiGMA Africa” and included photos of the damaged area.
No official cause has been confirmed, though early reports point to a possible electrical fault in the booth’s set-up – a common risk at trade shows with extensive lighting, screens and demo equipment. Local authorities at the venue are conducting an investigation, while event staff managed the immediate response.
Choice Gaming, a live casino provider, had been active at the event. The company received the “Live Casino Provider Rising Star 2026” award during the summit’s ceremonies and used its booth to showcase products to delegates, including operators and affiliates interested in Africa’s growing market.
CreedRoomz, known for live dealer solutions, reported minor smoke damage to its stand and resumed operations the same day. Representatives from 22BET and Melbet, major betting operators with a strong presence in African markets, focused on clearing and repairing their spaces to continue meetings.
SiGMA organisers acted quickly, with emergency teams containing the fire, ventilating the exhibition area and testing air quality before reopening sections. A spokesperson stated that all attendees and staff remained safe, with no injuries reported, and thanked responders for their efficiency. The summit proceeded with its scheduled program, featuring sessions on payments, technology and regulation.
