Betting Battles: Islamic Police Crackdown Escalate as Innovation Company Confronts Nigeria’s Gaming Leaders

Meet CEOs/MDs of business behind Nigeria’s $2 billion Sports betting industry.

Gambling has progressed substantially in Nigeria from traditional forms like pool staking and Baba Ijebu to a thriving sports betting industry. Historically tied to European football leagues, swimming pool staking was a typical sight at motor parks and kiosks, where enthusiasts would wager as low as N50-N200 on matches.

Gradually, with increased internet gain access to came virtual wagering, which parallels global patterns. The sports betting wagering market is valued at $89.91 billion in 2023 and is projected to almost double to $182.02 billion by 2030.

Regardless of financial difficulties such as inflation, Nigeria’s sports betting wagering sector has prospered, bring in millions, specifically among the younger demographic facing high unemployment rates.

Reports indicate that around 60 million Nigerians aged 18-40 actively engage in sports betting, driving an industry that generates an estimated annual revenue of N730 billion. The federal government has not gone undetected by this growth, sports betting which is considering regulative steps like import tax responsibilities and VAT boosts to manage the sector.

The National Lottery Act of 2005 established regulatory bodies like the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to ensure reasonable operations regardless of difficulties in enforcement. Problems such as insufficient age verification and advertising rule breaches show market regulatory gaps.

Regardless of these obstacles, sports betting wagering business continue to thrive through reliable company models and aggressive marketing techniques, sports betting leveraging the developer influencer market.

These efforts have contributed to Nigeria’s robust $2 billion gaming sector, with CEOs playing vital functions in expanding audience reach and driving market development. Here are the CEOs of leading sports betting wagering business who have actually considerably contributed to Nigeria’s $2 billion sports betting empire through their substantial audience reach.

Sheriff Olaniyan – CEO Surebet247

Constable Olaniyan is the CEO of Surebet247, a sports betting book business he co-founded with Badmos Olasupo in 2011. His diverse career covers various functions in the gaming and entertainment industry, including operating at one of the United Kingdom’s largest video gaming centres, sports betting The Palace Bingo Club, sports betting where he acted as the Lead Engineer in a Bingo and Bowling Club.

Olaniyan holds a BSc in Geography from the University of Ilorin and a Master’s in Geographical Information Systems from the University of Glamorgan, Wales. Surebet247, sports betting founded in August 2011, has actually become a leading e-commerce service in the sports betting and video gaming sector, operating through online, mobile, sports betting and retail channels. The company was included in Nigeria on November 7, 2006, and has given that broadened its existence, attaining over 5,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.

Sam Sadi – CEO Livescorebet

Sam Sadi has over 25 years of experience in sports betting brand names and sports betting media. In 2019, he ended up being the CEO of LiveScore Group, a completely integrated ecosystem that integrates appropriate sports betting material, engaging features, and a world-class sportsbook.

Considering that taking the helm right before the pandemic, Sam has driven significant development for LiveScore Group. The business’s worker headcount has actually increased by 29%, sports betting and annual earnings has actually surged from roughly ₤ 10 million to over ₤ 80 million.

Sam’s management and strategic vision have moved LiveScore Group’s success and helped shape the industry’s direction. LiveScoreBet has accomplished major user engagement, with over 100,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.

Anthony Werkman – CEO of Betway Group

Anthony Werkman was selected CEO of Betway in November 2017, having actually formerly served as the company’s Marketing and Operations Director because 2015. He joined Betway in 2013 and has actually been in the online video gaming market because 2000, holding various effective functions, including General Manager of a data analytics group and Director of a digital marketing agency.

Under Werkman’s management, Betway has continued to grow its market existence and enhance its offerings. The business’s app has gathered substantial user engagement, sports betting with over 100,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.

Damilare Alabi, Co-Founder, Managing Director NairaBET

Damilare Alabi has identified herself as a senior executive with a track record of transforming start-ups into institutionalized businesses. Her competence covers the video gaming, property, and credit lending industries, where he has actually established himself as a strategic and operational leader.

Damilare has actually contributed in NairaBET’s success for over 14 years. Considering that June 2019, she has functioned as Managing Director and has actually managed the company’s development and operations in Lagos, Nigeria.

Before this, she was the Chief Operating Officer from 2010 to June 2019, critical in the company’s operational methods and market growth.

She established DearDammy Women’s Initiative (DDWIN), a non-profit company empowering women-owned businesses. DDWIN supplies frHer instructional background consists of a Bachelor’s degree in Geology/Earth Science from the University of Ibadan, finished in 2005.

Akin Alabi, sports betting the founder of NairaBET.com, Nigeria’s pioneering sports betting bookmaking business, established the business in 2009. While NairaBET was not the very first sports betting wagering platform in Nigeria, it was the first to release a totally practical site, setting a benchmark in the industry.

Femi Babalola- General Manager of 1Xbet Nigeria Limited

Femi Babalola is the Managing Director of 1XBET Nigeria Limited, a franchise of the global sports betting wagering company based in Cyprus. 1XBET, founded in 2007 by the late Sergey Karshkov, sports betting has established itself as one of the largest bookmakers in Europe and the world. The business operates in more than 50 nations, consisting of Nigeria, where it is totally accredited.

Under Babalola’s leadership, 1XBET Nigeria has actually broadened its footprint in the competitive Nigerian sports betting market, offering a wide range of sports betting options and sports betting an easy to use platform. The 1XBET app has more than 500,000 downloads on the Play Store.

Gossy Ukanwoke – CEO of Betking Nigeria

Gossy Ukanwoke is the CEO of BetKing, sports betting Managing Director of KingMakers, and Chairman of Vend Capital. In addition to leading these ventures, Ukanwoke has teamed up with African socio-economic organizations and governments to create developmental policies aimed at empowering youths. In 2015, Ernst & & Young honoured him as the Winner of the Accelerating Category– World Entrepreneur of the Year.

BetKing, established and released in Nigeria on February 22, 2018, by Byron Petzer and Adekunle Adeniji, runs under the trademark name of Lake Ventures Ltd. This pan-African sports betting wagering and entertainment business has quickly grown its existence in Nigeria, with outlets in significant cities and over 500,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.

In 2020, BetKing entered into a collaboration with the Lagos Employment Trust Fund, developing over 100,000 jobs, sports betting the variety of which is increasing annually. In the exact same year, sports betting MultiChoice broadcaster bought a 20% stake in BetKing, which was increased to 49% in 2021.

Denise Coates – CEO Bet 365

Denise Coates is a British billionaire businesswoman, the founder, majority investor, and joint Chief Executive of Bet365, an online gambling company she developed in 2000. Bet365.com was launched in 2001 as an online sports betting website and has considering that grown into among the world’s biggest online gaming companies.

By 2016, Bet365 generated $2 billion in earnings and facilitated $45 billion in annual bets. The business likewise holds a bulk stake in Stoke City Football Club. Bet365 has garnered considerable user engagement, with over 1 million downloads on the Google Play Store.

Ayo Ojuroye – CEO/Cofounder Bet9ja

Ayo Ojuroye is the CEO and co-founder of Bet9ja, a leading sports betting company in Nigeria, established alongside entrepreneur Kunle Soname, who likewise owns Portuguese club CD Feirense and Nigerian club Remo Stars.

Ojuroye is likewise the Chairman of Mango Asset Management, an independent Nigerian property management company that produces investment returns and offers distinct investment insights and solutions to both specific and institutional customers.

Founded in 2012 under KC Gaming Networks, sports betting Bet9ja has quickly grown in popularity, with over 1 million downloads on the Google Play Store. Under Ojuroye’s leadership, Bet9ja has actually ended up being a considerable gamer in the Nigerian sports betting industry.

Fikayo Ogunfuye – Country Director 22bet

Fikayo Ogunfuye is a in the sports betting industry. He has been acting as the Country Director for 22BET in Nigeria given that June 2021. In this role, he has actually contributed to the business’s growth through collaborations, business strategy, and new company advancement.

Fikayo’s experience consists of roles such as Chief Operations Officer (West Africa) at 22BET, where he managed item development and client experience, and Country Manager at 22BET, concentrating on marketing technique and budget management. Before 22BET, he led marketing efforts at LuckyBet.NG and held numerous digital marketing roles at Laclic Services and Betty Bingo.

His career started at Jumia Group, where he worked in SEO, CRM, and content management. Fikayo likewise worked as a Human Resource Officer at SIFAX Group.

He holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Management and Accounting from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and a Master of Science (MS) in Business Administration, Management, and Operations from ESTG University in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

22Bet is an online gambling platform that uses sports betting, casino games, and live dealer games. It was released in 2017 and is owned and operated by Marikit Holdings Ltd, a business registered in Cyprus and a subsidiary of Orakum N.V.. They are also the owners of Betwinner and sports betting a chain of gambling establishments worldwide.

Sudeep Ramnani– CEO Sportybet Group

Sudeep Ramnani is the Founder and CEO of SportyBet, a business he developed in 2013.

SportyBet is an international sports betting and real-money video gaming operator understood for delivering an omni-channel entertainment experience in managed emerging markets. Under Ramnani’s management, SportyBet has become a substantial player in the market, with over 1 million downloads on the Google Play Store.

In addition to his function at SportyBet, Sudeep is an active financier in fintech and mobile payments and a strong advocate for the growing African internet ecosystem. His financial investments reflect his commitment to promoting development and advancement within the area.

On April 30, 2024, Sudeep Ramnani purchased Chowdeck, participating in a seed round valued at $2.5 million.

The firm is set to interrupt the sports wagering market.

Sunbet Sporting International Limited has stated it is focused on revolutionising how millions of Africans engage with sports betting. In a market worth over $1.5 billion annual, with double-digit development forecast in the coming years, according to reports from the African Sports Betting Association and PwC, the company aims to utilize cutting-edge technology and a dedication to responsible sports betting to revolutionise the sector.

Backed by the financial power of four popular African billionaires, Sunbet, sports betting which will introduce in the first quarter of 2025, intends to be the continent’s largest and most innovative sports betting wagering platform.

At a press briefing, sports betting the company’s representative, Akin Babatunde, stated that the rise in Internet penetration, sports betting mobile use, and the continent’s deep enthusiasm for sports betting, particularly football, has set the stage for Sunbet’s enthusiastic entry. He added that the firm’s robust sponsorship and professional team will enable it to scale and dominate the marketplace quickly.

Islamic cops raid betting stores in northern Nigeria

Islamic cops in Nigeria’s northern city of Kano have actually started shutting down sports betting shops, which they say are running unlawfully.

“As you understand, sports betting is forbidden in Islam,” Mujahid Aminudeen, deputy chief of the Sharia police force, known as the Hisbah, informed the BBC.

Problems from neighborhood leaders and parents triggered the crackdown, fretted about the growing number of gambling addicts, he stated.

On the very first day of raids, 30 shops were closed in one suburb alone, and their owners were sent out home with a warning, the Sharia officer said.

But Mr Aminudeen warned that now that the general public understood that the Hisbah was clamping down on gaming, those flouting the guidelines would be detained.

Kano city is the capital of Kano state, sports betting which has a bulk Muslim population and runs the Islamic legal system – Sharia – together with secular law.

Bookmakers and bars tend to be permitted to run in Kano’s Christian neighbourhoods, though they too can face action if the Hisbah thinks Muslims are frequenting them.

However, the existing crackdown is focused on Muslim locations of Kano, a sprawling city and the financial hub of northern Nigeria.

sports betting wagering shops can be found all over the city. The majority of have television screens, and clients view the result of worldwide football matches or horse races on which they have actually staked cash.

Mr Aminudeen said such bookmakers had been able to run under the radar as they had actually opened under false pretenses.

“They don’t have licences to run as they were permitted to run computer game centres, which they later on converted to wagering shops,” he stated.

The sports betting industry has actually expanded significantly throughout West Africa in the last few years. The area is roughly divided in between a primarily Muslim north and a primarily Christian south.

Lots of people go to bookmakers to delight in the camaraderie of other bettors, sports betting though mobile apps are also popular for wagering on the outcome of occasions and teams.

Nigeria’s crippling recession has likewise indicated people are willing to run the risk of a small amount in the hope of winning huge.

However this had resulted in prevalent addiction, and parents were even complaining that children were leaving of school to gamble, Mr Aminudeen said.

“These economic concerns we are dealing with in Nigeria is God telling us to alter our ways by stopping sins,” he stated.

The raids on Tuesday focused on Munjibir, thought about a resort area in the northeast of the city– visitors flock there at weekends.

“I am recommending those running those sports betting stores to either closed down or we’ll apprehend them and take them to [a Sharia] court,” Mr Aminudeen said.

It is unclear what punishment they would deal with – frequently, such violations carry a fine.

Sharia was introduced in Kano in 2000 – as it remained in 11 other Muslim-majority northern states – and prostitution, sports betting gaming and the intake of alcohol were banned.