PlayZuZu: Revolutionizing Mobile-First Crypto Casinos in Africa's iGaming Market

_{Mobile‑First, Crypto‑Powered: Josh Jones Builds Lean Casinos for Hyper‑Growth Markets. (Image: Josh Troman Jones)}

Veteran gaming technologist Josh Jones is launching PlayZuZu, a crypto‑driven iGaming platform tailored to Africa’s mobile-first generation. His mission: combining blockchain payments, crash‑style games, and AI optimisation to create a scalable, profitable casino, and flip it to a major gaming group within two years.

From Poker Enthusiast to Global iGaming Architect

Jones’s journey began not in tech labs, but around poker tables. 

“I started out with a love of card games and playing poker with friends,” he says, tracing his path from casual offline play to early online poker and casino games.

He credits a start in Malta at Evoke Gaming, where he began “right at the bottom, for propelling him into a decade-long career. He’s since served as CTO at Bet.pt and helped grow Salsa Technology and Jada Gaming before founding PlayZuZu.

Listen to the full interview on our podcast

Cracking the Code of Mobile‑First Markets

Africa’s enormous mobile penetration, over 60% of iGaming revenue is mobile‑driven, combined with a youthful, tech‑savvy population, makes it fertile ground for PlayZuZu’s lean design.

Jones emphasises technical and operational hurdles like high transaction volumes with low bandwidth, backend systems must handle concurrent play and micro‑transactions under constrained mobile networks.

He also spoke about fraud risk, 

“It only takes a very, very small portion of that user base to be bad actors,” he cautions.

He identifies AI-driven logic and robust penetration testing as essential safeguards.

Removing Bankroll Barriers

PlayZuZu begins with a free‑to‑play model, allowing unlimited non‑deposit play, aimed at maximising user engagement. As Jones explains, the mechanics ensure persistent interest without forcing deposits. Monetisation can occur later, but only if the user chooses.

Localisation for Real Impact

Jones stresses local banking and employment: using agents, converting winnings into airtime or local currency, and hiring hundreds on the ground. “They’re improving their financial well‑being by working with us…without some of the predatory aspects.” He presents it as ethical and economically beneficial, especially compared to grey‑market operators.

Compliance and Instant Payouts

Regulatory compliance is non‑negotiable. PlayZuZu leverages AI tools to automate quality and compliance check, minimising human error. Instant payouts, he says, build trust: “If it’s instant, there’s not enough time to start thinking about negative thoughts.”

Outlook and Industry Disruption

Jones predicts African markets like Nigeria are “culturally and demographically” suitable before entering Latin America or Middle East and North African (MENA) markets, with European entry expected later. He sees Africa’s model, youthful mobile populations, e‑wallet/crypto penetration, as a blueprint for global iGaming.

He also affirms land‑based casinos aren’t dying but must transform into unique, experience‑led destinations to stay competitive.

Competitive Signal? Yes, and Advice to Startups

Jones says major gaming brands have reached out, via “LinkedIn messages…asking for demos” and even M&A conversations. Some of this he offers is intended to seek and use information on the hows and whys of what he has done. Jones is keeping his cards close to his chest and as a former poker player, he knows when he has a good hand tol hold them and he knows when to fold them

His takeaway advice for new entrants: “Be different. Put your user first and try to do something different.”

Jones has certainly done that with PlayZuZu. It embodies a shift in iGaming: mobile-first, localised, crypto-enabled, AI-optimized, with ethical engagement and compliance at its core. It’s not just a business play, it’s a conscious cultural blueprint for emerging markets.