It's no secret that many billionaires prefer to stay out of the limelight, avoiding the trappings of fame and the incessant scrutiny that comes with it.
You won't find them gracing magazine covers or making splashy appearances on TV — unless they are fictional characters in scripted shows.
One such enigmatic figure is Martin Moshal, a South African-born billionaire recognised as one of the country's most significant political donors.
He is also credited with pioneering the world’s first online casino software through his company, Micro gaming.
Founded in 1994, the company emerged at a pivotal moment when the internet was beginning to revolutionise industries worldwide, allowing Moshal to carve out an extraordinary legacy in the global gaming arena.
With a combination of vision and timing, he seized the opportunity to leave an indelible mark on an industry that has since transformed how millions play and gamble online.
Over the years, Micro gaming's success has significantly grown, partly due to its cutting-edge approach and a commitment to high-quality gaming experiences.
This expansion is exemplified by its continued introduction of new games and its focus on providing the best SA no deposit bonuses, attracting a growing number of players.
Who is Martin Moshal?
Despite the veil of mystery surrounding his life, some information is available about Martin Moshal.
Born in Durban, the Australian-based billionaire has an impressive educational background, having earned a Business Science degree from the University of Cape Town and an Honorary PhD from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology.
He is also recognised as an Honorary Fellow of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, underscoring his academic achievements.
While the exact extent of Moshal’s wealth remains largely undisclosed, reports from British newspapers suggest he possesses a significant stake in the gambling giant Betway.
Additionally, Moshal is a co-founder of Entrée Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in technology and business innovation companies worldwide.
The firm manages approximately $1.25 billion across various funds and has offices in major cities, including Tel Aviv, London, and New York.
Micro gaming
Creating Micro gaming, much like gambling, required a blend of skill and a fair bit of luck.
What initially started as a pipe dream for Martin Moshal—to develop online casino games through his software company—became a reality once he met Roger Raatgever.
Moshal faced countless hurdles in securing funding, as he lacked a solid credit score and a proven track record, making it difficult for Discover Bank Limited to provide the necessary capital.
However, as fortune would have it, Raatgever recognised the potential in Moshal's concept and agreed to co-sign the loan in exchange for a 50 per cent stake in the business.
This pivotal moment led to the co-founding of Micro gaming in 1994.
With their new venture established, Micro gaming launched The Gaming Club in South Africa, utilising the domain casino.co.za.
The company quickly expanded its portfolio, developing and licensing a variety of online casino games, including popular titles such as blackjack, slots, and roulette.
By far, the company's biggest turning point came in 1998, when it debuted the world’s first online progressive jackpot slot game, Cash Splash.
This groundbreaking game interconnected its jackpot across all online casinos that featured it, enabling the prize to increase swiftly and draw in players. Since then, the company, with over 30 years in business, has gone from strength to strength.
Political Influence
Martin Moshal has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make a real impact on South Africa’s political climate.
During the 2024 national elections, he emerged as a major donor for opposition parties looking to challenge the long-standing rule of the African National Congress (ANC).
His donations were pivotal in the ANC losing its majority for the first time since the removal of the apartheid system in 1994, which required the formerly dominant party to engage in negotiations with other parties to create a coalition government.
While his primary recipient, ActionSA — led by Herman Mashaba and known for its strong stance on immigration and strict crime policies — did not perform as well as he had hoped, Moshal's involvement has paved the way for significant change.
According to records analysed by the non-profit organisation My Vote Counts, he has become the largest individual political donor in South Africa, reportedly contributing R46.5 million (Sh339 million).