Altenar appoints Jacob Portelli to drive Asia and Africa growth

Altenar, a leading sportsbook provider renowned for delivering cutting-edge sports betting solutions, has announced the appointment of Jacob Portelli as Sales Manager. This strategic hire strengthens the company’s commercial team and underscores its commitment to expanding operations across high-growth regions, specifically Asia and Africa.

Portelli brings a wealth of iGaming expertise to Altenar, backed by over five years of experience in business development and commercial strategy. His appointment reflects Altenar’s broader ambition to deepen its presence in emerging markets and deliver tailored solutions that meet the evolving demands of operators in these regions.

Jacob Portelli’s experience and industry background

Jacob Portelli’s career in iGaming spans multiple continents and includes notable positions in business development and customer success. Most recently, he served as Business Development Manager at Celestar Malta, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing client relationships and expanding market reach.

Prior to Celestar, Portelli held key positions at OKTO, WizPro Consulting Ltd and GA Tech, focusing on providing payment solutions to operators, aggregators and platforms across Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. This diverse experience equips him with a thorough understanding of the commercial and operational challenges that sportsbook operators face in various markets.

Portelli’s expertise includes creating bespoke solutions that optimize both operational efficiency and revenue potential. His track record of success demonstrates a consistent ability to identify growth opportunities and execute strategies that deliver measurable results.

Strategic focus on Asia and Africa

In his new role at Altenar, Jacob Portelli will focus on expanding the company’s footprint in Asia and Africa. These regions represent significant opportunities for sportsbook operators due to rising internet penetration, mobile adoption and a growing appetite for online gaming.

Portelli will be responsible for developing long-term partnerships with operators, building sustainable business relationships and providing solutions tailored to the unique requirements of each market. This approach aligns with Altenar’s broader commercial strategy, which prioritizes delivering tangible value to operators through innovation, flexibility and customer-centric solutions.

Charlie Williams, Commercial Director at Altenar, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Jacob to the Altenar team. With deep experience across multiple target markets, including Asia and Africa, we believe he is the perfect addition to our regional growth efforts.”

Altenar’s recent successes in Africa

Altenar’s presence in Africa has been steadily increasing over the past year. In December 2024, the company secured its South African licence, enabling it to operate officially in one of the continent’s largest regulated sports betting markets. This licence acquisition marked a pivotal milestone in Altenar’s African expansion strategy.

Following the licence acquisition, Altenar appointed Brendon Jeacocks as Regional Director for Africa in July 2025, a move that reinforced its commitment to strengthening local operations and engaging directly with key market stakeholders. Together with Jeacocks’ strategic leadership, Portelli’s commercial expertise is expected to accelerate Altenar’s growth and enhance its ability to serve operators effectively across the continent.

The role of experienced professionals in emerging markets

Altenar’s appointment of Jacob Portelli illustrates the company’s broader philosophy of investing in experienced professionals who understand both the technical and commercial demands of modern sports betting. In emerging markets such as Asia and Africa, this approach is particularly important.

Operators in these regions face complex regulatory environments, evolving payment ecosystems and highly competitive market dynamics. Experienced professionals like Portelli are critical in navigating these challenges while ensuring that Altenar’s clients receive solutions that are both innovative and compliant.

Jacob Portelli emphasized his enthusiasm for the role: “Having admired Altenar for some time, it feels truly rewarding to now be part of such an innovative and energetic team. I take pride in being proactive, collaborative and results-driven; qualities I believe will complement the great work already being done at Altenar whilst building long-term partnerships and delivering solutions that add real value to our clients.”

Altenar’s commitment to tailored sportsbook solutions

Altenar has established a reputation for providing flexible sportsbook solutions designed to meet the unique needs of operators around the world. The company’s products include customizable platforms, in-depth reporting tools and comprehensive payment integration capabilities.

With Jacob Portelli joining the team, Altenar aims to enhance its ability to deliver these solutions in Asia and Africa. By combining local market knowledge with global expertise, Altenar seeks to provide operators with solutions that optimize both performance and profitability.

The company’s focus on personalization ensures that operators can tailor offerings to the preferences and behavior of local players, a critical factor in markets with diverse cultural and technological landscapes. This tailored approach also supports responsible gaming initiatives, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks while promoting sustainable growth.

Collaboration and innovation at Altenar

Altenar’s commercial strategy emphasizes collaboration and innovation. The company’s leadership believes that successful partnerships with operators are built on trust, transparency and a shared commitment to growth.

By hiring professionals like Jacob Portelli, Altenar demonstrates its dedication to nurturing strong relationships with its clients and delivering solutions that address real business needs. Portelli’s proactive and collaborative approach aligns with the company’s core values, reinforcing Altenar’s position as a trusted partner in the sports betting industry.

Future growth prospects

The expansion into Asia and Africa represents a significant opportunity for Altenar. According to industry projections, these regions are expected to experience substantial growth in online betting and iGaming over the next decade. Factors driving this growth include increased smartphone penetration, improved internet infrastructure and regulatory reforms that promote legal and responsible betting activities.

Altenar’s strategic hires, including Portelli, indicate the company’s readiness to capitalize on these trends. By combining experienced leadership, innovative technology and market-specific solutions, Altenar is well-positioned to strengthen its market share and deliver sustainable growth.

Conclusion

Altenar’s strategic appointment of Jacob Portelli as Sales Manager represents more than just an expansion of its commercial team; it signals a deliberate and forward-thinking approach to establishing a stronger foothold in Asia and Africa, two of the world’s most promising emerging markets for iGaming and sports betting. Portelli’s extensive experience across multiple regions, combined with his expertise in business development and client-focused solutions, positions Altenar to deliver not only growth but also sustainable partnerships that drive long-term value for operators.

This move underscores Altenar’s commitment to innovation, collaboration and market adaptability, ensuring that its solutions remain relevant and effective across diverse regulatory landscapes and rapidly evolving consumer behaviors. By blending global industry insight with local market knowledge, Altenar is setting a new standard for operational excellence and strategic expansion in regions that are poised for exponential growth.

Ultimately, Portelli’s integration into Altenar’s team strengthens the company’s ability to offer tailored, results-driven solutions, reinforce trust with partners and maintain its reputation as a reliable, forward-looking sportsbook provider. As Altenar continues to scale in high-potential markets, its focus on experienced leadership, innovative technology and client-centric strategies will be central to achieving both commercial success and lasting impact in the global iGaming landscape.

FAQs

What experience does Jacob Portelli bring to Altenar?
Jacob Portelli has over five years of experience in iGaming, including roles in business development and customer success across Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe.

What will Jacob Portelli focus on at Altenar?
He will focus on expanding Altenar’s presence in Asia and Africa, building long-term partnerships and delivering tailored solutions to operators.

Why is Altenar expanding into Asia and Africa?
These regions present significant growth opportunities due to increasing internet access, mobile adoption and interest in online sports betting.

What recent achievements has Altenar had in Africa?
Altenar acquired its South African licence in December 2024 and appointed Brendon Jeacocks as Regional Director for Africa in July 2025.

How does Altenar tailor its sportsbook solutions?
Altenar provides customizable platforms, integrated payment solutions and reporting tools designed to meet the specific needs of operators in different markets.

What qualities does Jacob Portelli bring to Altenar?
Portelli is proactive, collaborative and results-driven, aiming to build long-term partnerships and deliver value-added solutions.

How does Altenar ensure regulatory compliance in new markets?
Altenar works closely with local regulators, follows industry best practices and develops solutions aligned with responsible gaming standards.

Who is Charlie Williams at Altenar?
Charlie Williams is Altenar’s Commercial Director and highlighted Portelli’s expertise as key for regional growth in Asia and Africa.

Why is professional experience important in emerging markets?
Emerging markets have complex regulatory and operational environments, requiring experienced professionals to navigate challenges effectively.

How does Altenar plan to achieve growth in high-potential markets?
By investing in experienced talent, offering tailored solutions, collaborating with operators and leveraging innovative technology.