Yggdrasil Regional Manager for Italy and South Africa Giovanni Fodera shares his experience managing the Italian and South African markets in an exclusive interview with iGaming News Today
Partnerships, Regulation and the Future of iGaming on Italy and South Africa
In a fast-paced industry such as iGaming, technology and innovation remain key factors when choosing game suppliers. However, long-term partnerships require more than a strong product offering. Sustainable growth still depends on trusted relationships, market knowledge, and the ability to adapt to local regulations.
In this exclusive interview with iGaming News Today, Yggdrasil Regional Manager Giovanni Fodera reflects on his journey from land-based casinos to online gaming. He also shares his experience managing the Italian and South African markets and discusses the importance of relationships, compliance, AI, and sustainable commercial growth.
From land-based to online casinos
When asked about his previous experience in land-based casinos, Fodera explains how it has influenced his role as Regional Manager at Yggdrasil:
“The online industry moves much faster, but having that land-based background gave me a broader perspective and helped shape my approach to building relationships with operators. Looking back, I don’t think I would be where I am today without that first experience.”
His land-based experience helped him understand that building long-lasting relationships with operators can make a significant difference in a game’s visibility.
He believes that even in an overcrowded market such as iGaming, “suppliers can still compete successfully by delivering solid products and maintaining strong relationships with their partners.”
South Africa vs. Italy: Two Markets That Share Similarities
At the beginning of 2026, Fodera took charge of managing relationships in Italy and South Africa. After six months of providing customer support across both countries, he sees more similarities than differences between the two markets.
“Success in both regions requires patience, consistent investment, competitive products, and strong local relationships.”
Another similarity between the two countries is their strict approval processes, which games must pass before going live. For Fodera, this challenge highlights the importance of close collaboration between teams, especially between compliance and commercial departments.
“If compliance teams aren’t working efficiently, commercial teams cannot move quickly enough to remain competitive.”
He identifies Yggdrasil’s strong collaboration between its commercial and compliance departments as a key factor that has allowed the company to launch products efficiently while meeting every regulatory requirement.
“Without that balance, sustainable growth simply isn’t possible,” he adds.
To close the interview, Fodera offers the following advice to the iGaming community:
“The industry may appear competitive, but there is always room for talented people who are proactive, communicate well, and are ready to take opportunities when they arise.”
Read the full interview in iGaming News Today.