Latest news with #Ignition
News24
3 days ago
- Business
- News24
10 Best real money online casinos, rated for 2025
If you're looking for the best online casinos but don't know where to start, our list of top gambling sites is what you need. We've spent hours on end researching and testing hundreds of casino sites to find those with high RTP games, great bonuses, and fast payouts. Are you a mobile player? We got you. Bonus hunter? We found your casino. Want high payout slots? Also covered. Check our top list, read the mini reviews, and start playing with confidence! THE WINNERS: 2025'S TOP REAL MONEY ONLINE CASINO SITES MyStake: Best overall Ignition: Top bonuses 7Bit Casino: Best slots Highest jackpots SuperSlots: Best VIP casino Bitstarz: Best mobile casino Thunderpick: Best tournaments High Roller: High roller casino BetOnline: Top live dealer games Cafe Casino: Fast payouts REVIEWS OF THE BEST ONLINE CASINOS WE TESTED IN 2025 Our team surveyed the market, and after hands-on testing, these 5 casino sites stood out for speed, rewards, and reliability. From slots to crypto payouts, here are the best online casinos that redefine the online gambling landscape. 1. MyStake – Best real money casino overall Supplied MyStake offers the kind of balance that most casinos aim for but rarely achieve. With over 3,000 games, generous bonuses, and standout crypto support, it's built for players who want variety and long-term value. Pros: ✅ Diverse game library with over 3,000 titles ✅ No-wager cashback on crypto deposits ✅ Multiple payment methods ✅ Active VIP and loyalty perks Cons: ❌ No demo mode for free play ❌ No mobile app Game selection You've got 2,000+ slots from big names like Play'n GO, Red Tiger, and Yggdrasil. There's also MyStake Originals – quirky in-house games that give the lineup some personality. It's a nice change from the copy-paste stuff most sites push. Table game fans will find blackjack and roulette covered, but the live dealer section is where things get spicy. With 130 tables, you're not waiting around for a seat or stuck with sky-high limits. The only gripe? No demo mode. So once you're in, you're playing for real. Bonuses & promotions MyStake doesn't play games with its offers (well, not the bad kind). You get a 300% welcome bonus worth up to $1,500 over your first three deposits. Or if you're going the crypto route, there's a 170% bonus up to $1,000. Both packages come with a fair 30x wagering. The best perk, though? 10% no-wager cashback on every crypto deposit. That's actual cash back in your account. Stick around and the VIP perks kick in, including higher cashback, reloads, and even free spins. Just maybe skip the social media giveaways… unless you like 100x wagering. Payment methods & speed This is where MyStake really holds its own. If you're into crypto, you'll feel at home with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, USDT, and even smaller coins like TRON and Doge. For fiat, you've got Apple Pay, Google Pay, Astropay, and more. Limits start reasonably at $10 minimums for crypto, but the only bump is a $15,000 monthly withdrawal. Traditional bank transfers drag a bit, taking up to three days. But if you're on the crypto side, it's smooth sailing, usually landing within 24 hours. User experience & security MyStake is refreshingly easy to navigate. Whether you're on a desktop or mobile browser, everything's where it should be – it all clicks. It's clean, fast, and doesn't bombard you with clutter. As for safety, it's licensed in Curacao and has solid responsible gambling tools: deposit limits, time-outs, and easy self-exclusion. Customer support is available via live chat, email, and even Telegram, catering to mobile-first users. Verdict – 5/5 MyStake hits that rare sweet spot: a wide variety of big games, rewards that actually add value, and a payment setup tailored for today's players. If you're only signing up at one casino this year, this is the one that'll keep you coming back. >> Play at MyStake If you're the type who wants maximum value every time you deposit, Ignition might just be your new favorite. From big crypto bonuses to daily promos and generous refer-a-friend rewards, this site knows how to treat a bonus hunter right. Pros: ✅ Separate poker and casino bonus options ✅ Daily jackpots and scratch cards ✅ Fast crypto withdrawals with high limits ✅ Generous refer-a-friend program Cons: ❌ Limited game variety beyond poker and jackpots ❌ Few responsible gambling tools available Game selection This isn't the casino for endless slot exploration, but it knows its strengths. You'll find over 300 slots, most focused on jackpots and Hot Drops, plus 70 live tables for blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. The real draw? Poker. Ignition runs one of the busiest poker networks online, complete with anonymous tables, auto-seating, and regular freerolls. If you're here for poker nights or progressive slots, there's plenty to like. But if you're hunting for niche table games or unique titles, you might feel a bit boxed in. Bonuses & promotions This is where Ignition shines. Crypto players can claim a massive 300% welcome bonus up to $3,000, split between poker and casino. Fiat players still get a strong 200% up to $2,000. What makes the bonus system stand out is flexibility – choose the path that fits your play style. Wagering is set at 25x for casino funds, which is lower than most competitors. Weekly freerolls, Hot Drop jackpot promotions, and a daily scratch card offer extra value without complicated hoops. The refer-a-friend deal is one of the best around: 200% of their deposit up to $100, plus a $25 crypto bonus. It's one of the rare setups where even casual players can rack up real value without heavy grinding. Payment methods & speed Ignition is crypto-friendly, and it shows. Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and USDT are all accepted, with most withdrawals processed within 24 hours. Litecoin offers especially high withdrawal limits of up to $180,000 per week, making it ideal for players who cash out big. There's also Lightning Bitcoin for faster, smaller transactions. For fiat, Mastercard, Visa, and eVouchers cover deposits, but cashouts are slower and more limited. The crypto route is clearly the better choice here, and it is fee-free. User experience & security Ignition keeps things streamlined. The layout is easy to navigate, and works great on mobile, especially if you're playing poker or chasing jackpots. It's licensed under the Anjouan Gaming Board, and while it covers basics like self-exclusion, tools like deposit caps or session timers are missing. Still, for casual players, it's got enough to feel secure. Verdict – 4.9/5 If you're all about chasing bonuses and you like crypto-friendly sites with a strong poker backbone, Ignition delivers. It's not trying to be everything for everyone, but what it does offer, it does really well. From generous promos to slick payouts, it's a smart pick for players who want to get the most out of every dollar. If spinning reels is your thing, 7Bit doesn't waste your time. This is a casino that knows its audience and caters to slot lovers without distractions. With 3,000+ slots, fast crypto payouts, and regular spin-heavy promos, it's built for one purpose: to let you chase big wins with nonstop variety. Pros: ✅ Crypto-first design with fast payouts ✅ Provably fair games are available ✅ Telegram-exclusive free spin offers ✅ Weekly cashback up to 20% Cons: ❌ No fiat payment methods ❌ Reload bonuses have a short 1-day validity Game selection This is where 7Bit stands out. This platform goes all-in on slots – 3,000+ of them, from timeless 3-reel classics to new Megaways monsters and high-volatility jackpot beasts. You've got premium providers like Red Tiger, Yggdrasil, Betsoft, Platipus, Spinomenal, and plenty more. There's also a 'New Games' tab that's constantly rotating with exclusive slots, so if you're the type who likes trying the latest stuff, it delivers. Now, if you're after blackjack, roulette, or a deep live dealer catalog, you might be underwhelmed, especially since regional restrictions can limit what's shown. But for pure slot variety? Few casinos can touch it. Bonuses & promotions This site doesn't just offer bonuses – it builds its entire rhythm around them. You'll get a welcome package worth up to 5.25 BTC plus 250 free spins, split across your first four deposits. But it's what comes after that that keeps things interesting. Mondays bring reloads, Wednesdays drop up to 100 spins, and weekends give you 50% bonuses with low minimums. You'll also get weekly cashback up to 20%, something even high-end sites rarely match. Telegram-only deals are a cool touch for loyal players, too. The trade-off? Some bonuses expire in just 24 hours, and spin winnings come with 35x to 45x wagering, so timing and planning matter if you want to make the most of them. Payment methods & speed This is a crypto-native casino from the ground up. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, USDT, Ripple, TRON, Cardano, and Binance Coin are all accepted. Deposits are instant, and withdrawals typically process within 24 hours or less. Minimums start low, around 0.0001 BTC, and weekly withdrawal caps are reasonable for most users. However, e-wallets aren't available at all, so this isn't the casino for cash-based players. If you're already using crypto or want to switch, the banking experience here is clean and reliable. User experience & security Navigating 7Bit is a breeze. The design is clean, the menus are intuitive, and whether you're sorting by slot provider or theme, everything loads fast – no app needed. The mobile version holds up just as well as desktop, which is a win for players on the go. Safety-wise, it's licensed in Curacao and includes a full set of responsible gambling tools: deposit limits, self-exclusion, and even permanent account closure if needed. Verdict – 4.8/5 7Bit knows its lane and sticks to it. If you want massive slot variety, fast crypto transactions, and a steady stream of spin-heavy promos, it's hard to beat. It's not trying to win over every type of player - it's just laser-focused on doing one thing really well: delivering one of the best slots experiences online. If your idea of a dream win starts with five reels and ends in six figures, is your kind of place. This site keeps things simple and leans hard into jackpots: hourly, daily, progressive – you name it. It's tailor-made for players who want every spin to have serious payout potential. Pros: ✅ Dozens of progressive jackpot slots ✅ Exclusive Hot Drop jackpots hit hourly and daily ✅ Dual crypto and fiat support ✅ Easy-to-navigate interface Cons: ❌ Limited live casino options ❌ Few ongoing promotions beyond the welcome bonus Game selection You won't find thousands of titles here, but what lacks in quantity, but it makes up for it in jackpot power. The real stars among the 700 games are the Hot Drop Jackpots, which are guaranteed to pay out hourly and daily. It's the kind of feature that keeps you spinning, even when the session's cold. On top of that, you've got progressive classics like A Night with Cleo and Shopping Spree, both with life-changing max payouts. The slot mechanics lean more traditional – no Megaways, but the mix of RTP and volatility keeps things interesting. Live casino games are there, but they're not the focus, and it shows. Bonuses & promotions New players get a strong head start. If you're using crypto, the welcome bonus hits 200% up to $3,000, plus 30 free spins. Deposit with fiat and you'll still score a 100% bonus up to $2,000 and 20 spins. It's a solid deal either way. That said, things quiet down after that. There aren't many reloads, no daily free spins, and cashback doesn't really show up. The rewards system earns you points as you play, and the refer-a-friend promo is worth noting – 200% of their first deposit plus a $25 crypto bonus if they go that route. Great upfront value, but it's not a long-haul promo setup. Payment methods & speed gives you both worlds: crypto and card-based banking. Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash all move quickly - expect payouts in 24 to 48 hours, no fees attached. It's definitely the smoother option if you're crypto-savvy. Fiat players can use Visa, Mastercard, or AmEx, but withdrawals are slower and can carry extra charges. Deposit minimums start at $20, and weekly cashout limits won't bother most players unless you're in the high-stakes lane. User experience & security keeps it classic. The design is clean, everything loads fast, and it's super easy to find the jackpots - it's what the site does best, after all. Security-wise, it operates under a Curacao license and offers standard features such as deposit limits and self-exclusion. You can reach support via live chat or email, but there is no phone option available if that's your preference. Verdict – 4.7/5 isn't trying to overwhelm you with bells and whistles. Between the Hot Drops, progressives, and smooth crypto banking, this is one of the best places to play if you're chasing big wins. It's not packed with features, but what's here is polished and payout-focused. Some casinos just talk about loyalty, but SuperSlots actually builds around it. With a 15-level VIP program, regular promos, and tournaments that pay out in real cash – no strings attached – this is the kind of place where your time and spend actually count. Pros: ✅ Solid mix of slots, live casino, and jackpots ✅ 15-tier VIP program with real cash rewards ✅ Ongoing tournaments with no-wager prize pools ✅ Loads of crypto deposit options Cons: ❌ Crypto withdrawal fees are based on the amount ❌ Welcome offer is spins only Game selection With around 2,000 games, SuperSlots gives you a solid lineup across slots, live casino, and specialty games. You'll find 1,300+ slots, with good coverage of jackpots, classics, and bonus-rich titles. The live dealer suite includes 75+ tables across blackjack, baccarat, and roulette. Game providers include Betsoft, Nucleus Gaming, Dragon Gaming, and VIG – so don't expect the biggest industry names, but the selection still hits the mark for variety. High rollers can find VIP table limits and blackjack side bets that add excitement to bigger bets. Bonuses & promotions There's no classic match bonus waiting for you at sign-up, but you do get 300 free spins spread over early deposits. That's just the start, the real value comes midweek: reload bonuses, leaderboards, and tournaments with prize pools like $15,000, and with winnings you actually keep, no wagering. The Super Slot of the Week gives you 20 spins for hitting 100 plays on a featured title, and the Free Roll Tournaments dish out $10K weekly if you've wagered $100 recently. The crown jewel, though, is that 15-level VIP ladder with better cashback, higher limits, and faster payouts as you move up. Payment methods & speed Crypto users have the advantage here: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, TRON, USDT, Ripple – you name it, SuperSlots probably takes it. Deposit minimums stay low at $10–$25, and payouts usually land within 24 to 48 hours. Visa, Mastercard, and Amex cover fiat options. Heads-up: crypto withdrawals come with a fee based on how much you pull, so batching your payouts is smarter. Limits scale up with your VIP level - think $10K to $100K per month, making this a strong pick for frequent players. User experience & security SuperSlots keeps it simple. The layout's intuitive, the cashier's easy to use, and all the promos are right where you'd expect. It works well on mobile, even without an app, and loads quickly. The site is licensed by the Panama Gaming Commission and supports the basics like time-outs and self-exclusion. There is no comprehensive responsible gaming dashboard, but live chat and email support are fast, and the FAQ page actually provides useful answers. Verdict – 4.6/5 SuperSlots has a deep VIP structure, real-value tourneys, and midweek promos keep things interesting long after your first deposit. It's not perfect – crypto fees and no match bonus are drawbacks, but for consistent players who like getting rewarded for sticking around, this site has the right idea. OUR TESTING STANDARDS: CASINO EDITION We didn't rely on secondhand data or marketing. Instead, every site was tested firsthand with real accounts and money. From signup to withdrawal, we went through the full player journey to see which casinos held up and which ones cracked under pressure. Game Libraries We set the bar high – a minimum of 1,000 games. But it wasn't just about numbers. We looked for real variety: slots, table games, jackpots, even game shows. Big-name providers had to be part of the mix because a huge lobby means nothing if half the games feel the same. Bonuses & terms We weren't just hunting for big welcome numbers, because ongoing value is more important. That meant cashback, reload deals, VIP perks, and loyalty programs that reward consistent play. The welcome bonus had to be fair: at least 100% matched, 30–40x wagering max, reasonable bet limits ($5–$10), and no sneaky terms. We flagged anything with vague rules or 100x+ spin wagering. Payout speed & limits Crypto had to be cleared in under 24 hours, while for fiat, no more than 3 business days. We tested multiple methods and watched for slowdowns, frozen funds, or hidden payout caps. Clean and transparent banking was non-negotiable. Mobile performance We played across mobile browsers and devices. Sites with laggy loading times, half-broken menus, or games that failed to scale properly were immediately disqualified, even if their desktop experience was solid. Licensing & support Every site needed a legit license, but we went further. Live chat had to reply in under 2 minutes. Emails needed real answers, not auto-responses. We also checked for tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion, because trust matters. HOW ONLINE CASINO BONUSES WORK Casino bonuses can seriously stretch your bankroll, but only if you know what you're signing up for. Some are great. Others? Not so much. Here's a breakdown of the most common types, what they actually mean, and when they're worth your time. Welcome Bonus: This is the big one most casinos promote. It's usually a 100% to 200% match on your first deposit. So, if you drop $100 and the bonus is 150%, you'll get $250 to play with. Some casinos split it across your first few deposits—like $500 on the first, $300 on the second, and so on – adding up to $1,500 or more. No Deposit Bonus: You get a small bonus (like $10 or 25 free spins) just for signing up. No deposit required. The catch? There's usually high wagering (around 50x), strict max cashout limits, and limited games you can use it on. Good for testing a site, but don't expect to withdraw much. Free Spins: These usually come in batches – say, 20 spins a day for 5 days. They're tied to a specific slot (like Gates of Olympus or Book of Dead), and anything you win gets converted into bonus funds. Expect 30x–40x wagering before you can withdraw. Cashback Bonus: You'll get a percentage of your losses back each week, typically 5% to 15%. Some crypto casinos go even better, offering 10% cashback with no wagering. That means real money back, no strings attached. It's one of the few promos that actually feels like a win, even when you lose. Reload Bonus: After your welcome offer is done, reloads are how casinos keep you interested. You might see 50% up to $200 every Friday, or even 75% deals for VIPs. They're usually deposit-matched, just like welcome bonuses - but check the terms. Some expire fast or only apply to certain games. PAYMENT METHODS AT THE BEST ONLINE CASINOS IN 2025 Getting your money in and out shouldn't feel like a gamble. The best online casinos make deposits quick, withdrawals smooth, and your options flexible. Let's break down the most common ways players move money in and out, and what each one does well (or not so well). Cryptocurrency Crypto is one of the fastest-growing ways to deposit, and it's easy to see why. It's quick, private, and often tied to better bonuses or no-wager cashback. When you cash out, the money goes right back to your wallet, no banks involved. Popular coins include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Litecoin, and even TRON or Dogecoin. The real perk here? Speed and privacy. Payouts usually land within 24 hours. That said, crypto isn't for everyone. You'll need a wallet, a basic handle on how transfers work, and you'll be exposed to price swings while your funds sit in crypto. Credit & debit cards Still using your card? No problem – credit and debit cards are accepted at almost every casino. Depositing is straightforward: enter your card number, expiration, and CVV, and you're good to go. Visa and Mastercard are the usual picks, with some sites also allowing American Express. Deposits are instant, but withdrawals? Not so much. You're looking at 2 to 5 business days, and some banks may block gambling-related transactions entirely. e-Wallets If you like keeping your banking info private, digital wallets are worth a look. Services like Skrill, MiFinity, and ecoPayz let you fund your casino account through a wallet instead of using a card or bank account directly. Wallets tend to have fast withdrawals that often land the same day, and you get extra tracking tools to keep an eye on your spending. On the flip side, not all casinos allow wallet deposits to qualify for bonuses, and fees can pop up when you move money back to your bank. Prepaid vouchers Want full privacy and easy budgeting? Vouchers like Paysafecard, Neosurf, and Flexepin make that simple. You buy a prepaid code from a store or online, then use it to deposit. No need to share your bank details, just enter the code and you're in. This is great if you're testing a new casino or don't want to overspend. But here's the catch: you can't withdraw with a voucher. Plus, voucher values are fixed, which can be limiting if you want to deposit more than what's available. CASINO GAMES EXPLAINED – WHAT YOU'LL FIND AT TOP SITES Online casinos might throw thousands of games at you, but don't get overwhelmed. Almost everything falls into just a few core categories, and once you know the types, it's easier to figure out what you actually want to play and what to skip. Slots Slots make up the bulk of most casinos. They're fast and packed with features like bonus rounds, wilds, and free spins. You'll find everything from old-school fruit machines to big, modern video slots with 100,000+ paylines (looking at you, Megaways). Some have fixed payouts; others offer huge progressive jackpots that just keep climbing. And no, you don't need a strategy – it's just spin and hope. Table games Prefer a little control? Table games are more your style. You've got classics like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps. Some versions keep it simple, while others mix in side bets or high-stakes rules. For example, you might choose between European and American roulette (hint: one has better odds), or go multi-hand in blackjack if you want more action per round. Live dealer games Want that casino floor vibe without leaving your couch? Live dealer games stream real dealers in real time. You'll interact, place bets, and watch every card flip or wheel spin live. Options usually include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and even game shows. It's a solid middle ground between in-person play and digital convenience, especially if you like seeing the action unfold. Specialty & crash games If you're into fast, no-fuss games, this category's worth exploring. Think crash games, keno, virtual sports, scratch cards – stuff that doesn't fit neatly into the usual boxes. A lot of crypto casinos lean into this space. Some even use provably fair tech, which lets you verify every outcome yourself. Not bad if you like transparency along with your thrills. A GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING Gambling should be fun, and not a source of stress. Here are some quick tips to help you stay in control while you play: Set a budget before you start: Only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Never dip into rent, bills, or savings. Use casino tools: Set deposit limits, time reminders, or loss caps. Many sites also offer self-exclusion or cooling-off options. Take regular breaks: Step away from the screen, especially if you're feeling frustrated or chasing losses. Don't treat it like income: Gambling isn't a way to make money. Wins are random, and losses happen—plan for both. Know when to stop: If it stops being fun or feels like a compulsion, pause your play and talk to someone. Seek help if needed: Resources like Gamblers Anonymous and other support groups are there if you need them. SUMMARY: BEST CASINO SITES IN 2025 We made strong cases for our selection of reliable online casinos in 2025. MyStake stands out as our top choice, offering a strong mix of real-money slots, live games, and crypto-friendly features, along with no-wager cashback that adds genuine long-term value. Beyond MyStake, we also reviewed nine other good options, each offering different strengths in areas like bonuses, payment methods, loyalty rewards, and game variety. Depending on what you value most in a casino experience, one of these alternatives will surely be your next virtual casino destination. 21+ Only. Gambling is risky. Bet at your own risk and never spend money that you can't afford to lose. The guide on this site is informative and intended to present you with up-to-date information about the online gambling landscape. Check your local laws before playing. If you think you have a gambling problem, reach out to or
eNCA
5 days ago
- General
- eNCA
Author shares tips on how to become an expert speaker
JOHANNESBURG - Speaking in front of people seems to come naturally to some people but it's a scary experience for many of us. WATCH | That's why professionals like Dineshrie Pillay are helping people find their voice. Pillay, through her book Ignition, is dispelling the myth of public speaking being an art that's mastered by only a few people.
Dublin Live
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
The Prodigy announces return to Dublin with headline 3Arena show
The Prodigy have announced their return to Dublin with special guest Carl Cox by their side. They're coming to Ireland as part of the Ignition tour next year, with shows in Dublin's 3Arena and the SSE in Belfast. They'll be playing the hits from their seven number one albums with Carl Cox spinning the tunes creating a two hour set for punters. The announcement comes as the group plan to return to Glastonbury for their first performance at the iconic festival following the passing of Keith Flint in 2019. This will be their fourth performance at the festival, bringing the weekend to a close on The Other stage on Sunday and follows stunning sets at Coachella and Summer Sonic. Tickets go on sale this coming Friday, June 27 and presale will begin on Wednesday, June 25. They can be bought on Ticketmaster and The Prodigy website. The Prodigy's Liam Howlett said: 'We're bringing back that full experience of non-stop noise and beats from doors to getting chucked out. It will be that full Prodigy ruckus as it was then and how it continues to be now… and droppin' new tunes for the people… We've got our old friend Carl joining us so expect full attack mode, factor 9…Let's go !' Carl Cox added: 'I love working with these guys and it's such a long time since I have. They knew me that last time I was out playing 3 turntables, and the type of music I was playing was hardcore rave music, so that's what I'm going to be doing, playing that sort of sound and into the new skool, I'm really looking forward to it, so here we are Carl Cox and The Prodigy back again to rip up the dance floors." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Business Insider
24-06-2025
- Business Insider
Satellite phones finally reach rural African towns: Here's why it matters
In March 2025, Africa's first satellite-supported phone call was conducted, using a standard smartphone. This breakthrough trial, held in the rural town of Vryburg in South Africa, demonstrated that low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites could 'provide coverage in underserviced, rural and remote areas'. For the first time, people in remote African communities may soon get reliable phone and data service via satellite links, bypassing the need for cell towers. Below we explore why this milestone matters, from mobile gaming and healthcare to messaging, and how satellite connectivity is changing the game for rural Africa. Mobile Games Without Connectivity—How the Markets Adapt We need to welcome initiatives that aim to develop new infrastructure so that the internet becomes available to everyone, regardless of where they live. As today's life has become vastly digitized, keeping people connected to the global web is a necessary task. With that being said, digital markets have taken meaningful steps to ease dependence on high-speed internet in order to expand their customer base. The gaming industry is pioneering in this effort, not only in Africa but globally. Some advanced platforms and their offerings, such as Ignition casino's mobile poker, have designed games with lightweight graphics so players don't feel the need for high-speed internet. Some of these gaming platforms even offer two different versions of their games: the full version and a light version with only the primary features. Recently, however, a new trend has emerged: offline-capable mobile poker apps. Game developers are releasing other versions of popular poker games that can be downloaded once and played without continuous internet access. In fact, several free poker apps now let users play full tournaments against AI opponents entirely offline. These apps, often intended for practice or casual play, store game data locally and don't involve real-money bets, meaning rural players can enjoy poker anytime without needing 4G or even 3G. It's a clever workaround for low-connectivity areas. These changes help prove the fact that when markets and industries adapt to current circumstances, satellite connectivity may arrive late, but ensuring everyone has reliable internet access is simply a necessity. Telemedicine's new lifeline One clear example is telemedicine. In places like Zimbabwe, new satellite internet services have begun to connect rural patients with urban doctors in real time. When Elon Musk's Starlink constellation went live in Zimbabwe in 2024, local innovators jumped to use it for healthcare. With a satellite link, a patient in a village can have a video call with a specialist in the capital – seeing and hearing each other nearly as clearly as if they were in the same room. Doctors can spot symptoms over video that would be missed in a crackly phone call, improving diagnostic accuracy. As a chief executive noted, his team's doctors conduct video exams with 'near in-person clarity, seeing fine visual details essential for accurate diagnoses'. For a rural patient, that quality of consultation was unheard of before satellite internet arrived. Telegram's African growth gets boosted by Satellite Connectivity When it comes to person-to-person connectivity, few tools are as important as messaging apps. In Africa, one messaging service in particular – Telegram – has been seeing a surge in popularity, especially in communities seeking reliable, low-cost communication and entertainment through Telegram. The platform is known for its light data footprint and offline-friendly design, making it well-suited to areas with intermittent connectivity. Now, with satellites extending the internet into rural towns, Telegram's reach in Africa is poised to grow even further, riding on these new cosmic networks. One major advantage Telegram has in low-connectivity settings is its efficiency with data. Text messages on Telegram are cloud-synced but consume very little bandwidth. Crucially, Telegram doesn't require all parties to be online simultaneously; messages sit on the cloud. So if a villager only gets online during a brief satellite pass, their Telegram app will automatically sync all the new messages and community updates, which they can read offline until the next pass. This store-and-forward model fits perfectly with intermittent satellite internet availability. The result is that satellite connectivity could turbocharge Telegram's growth in Africa's hinterlands as the continent becomes globally attractive. We're already seeing early signs: community leaders are creating local Telegram groups for villages that recently got connected via satellite ISP terminals or direct-to-phone satellite service. Teachers share homework via Telegram channels that students download when the signal permits. Farmers join market-price discussion groups and download the messages whenever their rugged satellite phone catches a signal. Unlike traditional SMS, which may not work at all without cell coverage, Telegram over satellite can deliver a rich stream of content – photos, voice notes, PDFs – as soon as a link is available, no matter how remote the recipient. It's no wonder experts predict messaging apps will be among the biggest winners of expanded rural connectivity.
NBC News
20-06-2025
- NBC News
Judge denies defense motion to move R. Kelly to home detention
A federal judge has denied a defense motion to release R. Kelly to home confinement after what lawyers called an assassination attempt against the disgraced musician. The denial comes days after defense lawyers said Kelly was hospitalized for an overdose of medication administered by prison officials. The bombshell allegation also came shortly after Kelly's attorneys alleged that prison officials directed another inmate to kill the R&B singer in exchange for the inmate's freedom. Kelly, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, is serving a 30-year prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institute in Butner, North Carolina, after his 2021 New York conviction of racketeering and sex trafficking. U.S. District Court Judge Martha Pacold denied Kelly's motion on Thursday, ruling that she "lacks jurisdiction over this matter." Kelly's attorney, Beau Brindley, did not immediately return a request for comment. This month, Kelly's attorney has filed a flurry of motions seeking to get the "Ignition" singer released to home confinement. Prosecutors have responded to Kelly's request and allegations in court filings, calling them "deeply unserious and theatrical" and "repugnant to the sentence that this Court imposed for deeply disturbing offenses." In court filings last week, Kelly's lawyer accused prison officials of soliciting another inmate, Mikeal Glenn Stine, to kill the singer. At the same time, the pair was detained at a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona, this spring. The court filing alleged that prison officials offered to free Stine, who has a terminal illness, in exchange for killing Kelly. Shortly after the allegation was made, Kelly's attorney claimed in court that his client was moved to solitary confinement. Kelly's lawyer this week alleged the singer was hospitalized on Friday after prison officials allegedly administered him an overdose of medication, according to a court filing. The filing alleged that prison officials then moved Kelly back to solitary confinement, taking him out of the hospital against doctors' orders. "Mr. Kelly's life is in danger, and that danger is coming from Bureau of Prisons officials and their actions," the Monday court filing states. "Mr. Kelly needs this Court's intervention. His life actually depends on it." A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement that it does "not discuss the conditions of confinement for any incarcerated individual" and "does not comment on pending litigation." Amid the slew of jaw-dropping court filings, Kelly's attorney also told media outlets last week that he is trying to seek a presidential pardon for his client. "President Trump has been fighting against this kind of criminal weaponization of the DOJ against public figures since he took office,' Brindley told USA Today. "And we will ask him to now stand up with us as we advance his fight and as our client fears that he might be killed to cover up the corruption that we seek to expose." Gerald Griggs, a lawyer representing some of Kelly's victims, said in a statement that his clients are "firmly opposed to any efforts to secure his early release or the granting of a pardon." "No amount of extrajudicial activity changes the fact that he was found guilty and must serve the sentence imposed upon him," Griggs said.
