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

Meet CEOs/MDs of companies behind Nigeria’s $2 billion Sports wagering market.

Gaming has developed significantly in Nigeria from conventional kinds like pool staking and sports betting Baba Ijebu to a growing sports betting industry. Historically tied to European football leagues, pool staking was a typical sight at motor parks and kiosks, where enthusiasts would bet just N50-N200 on matches.

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

In spite of economic difficulties such as inflation, Nigeria’s sports betting wagering sector has grown, attracting millions, sports betting particularly among the vibrant market facing high joblessness rates.

Reports indicate that roughly 60 million Nigerians aged 18-40 actively take part in sports betting, driving an industry that creates a projected yearly profits of N730 billion. The federal government has not gone unnoticed by this development, which is considering regulatory measures like excise responsibilities and VAT boosts to manage the sector.

The National Lottery Act of 2005 established regulative bodies like the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to ensure fair operations despite difficulties in enforcement. Problems such as inadequate age confirmation and marketing guideline breaches reveal industry regulatory gaps.

Despite these challenges, sports betting wagering business continue to thrive through effective organization models and aggressive marketing techniques, leveraging the developer influencer market.

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

Constable Olaniyan – CEO Surebet247

Sheriff Olaniyan is the CEO of Surebet247, sports betting a sports betting book business he co-founded with Badmos Olasupo in 2011. His varied profession covers numerous roles in the video gaming and entertainment industry, consisting of operating at one of the United Kingdom’s largest gaming centres, The Palace Bingo Club, where he functioned as the in a Bingo and Bowling Club.

Olaniyan holds a BSc in Geography from the University of Ilorin and sports betting a Master’s in Geographical Information Systems from the University of Glamorgan, Wales. Surebet247, founded in August 2011, has grown into a leading e-commerce service in the sports betting and video gaming sector, operating through online, mobile, and retail channels. The business was incorporated in Nigeria on November 7, 2006, and has actually considering that broadened its presence, 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 sports betting names and sports betting media. In 2019, he ended up being the CEO of LiveScore Group, a totally incorporated ecosystem that combines appropriate sports betting material, sports betting engaging features, and a world-class sportsbook.

Given that taking the helm right before the pandemic, sports betting Sam has actually driven substantial development for LiveScore Group. The business’s employee headcount has increased by 29%, and yearly earnings has surged from around ₤ 10 million to over ₤ 80 million.

Sam’s management and tactical vision have actually propelled LiveScore Group’s success and assisted form the market’s direction. LiveScoreBet has actually achieved significant user engagement, with over 100,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.

Anthony Werkman – CEO of Betway Group

Anthony Werkman was appointed CEO of Betway in November 2017, having actually formerly worked as the business’s Marketing and Operations Director considering that 2015. He signed up with Betway in 2013 and has remained in the online gaming industry given that 2000, holding numerous successful roles, sports betting including General Manager of a data analytics group and Director of a digital marketing company.

Under Werkman’s leadership, Betway has actually continued to grow its market presence and enhance its offerings. The business’s app has actually garnered substantial user engagement, with over 100,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.

Damilare Alabi, Co-Founder, Managing Director NairaBET

Damilare Alabi has actually identified herself as a senior executive with a track record of changing start-ups into institutionalized services. Her know-how spans the video gaming, realty, and credit lending markets, where he has actually developed himself as a tactical and functional leader.

Damilare has been instrumental in NairaBET’s success for over 14 years. Considering that June 2019, she has served as Managing Director and has supervised the business’s development and operations in Lagos, Nigeria.

Before this, she was the Chief Operating Officer from 2010 to June 2019, essential in the business’s functional strategies and market growth.

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

Akin Alabi, the creator of NairaBET.com, Nigeria’s pioneering sports betting bookmaking company, established the business in 2009. While NairaBET was not the first sports betting platform in Nigeria, it was the first to release a completely functional site, setting a criteria in the market.

Femi Babalola- General Manager of 1Xbet Nigeria Limited

Femi Babalola is the Managing Director of 1XBET Nigeria Limited, sports betting a franchise of the international sports betting company based in Cyprus. 1XBET, founded in 2007 by the late Sergey Karshkov, has established itself as one of the biggest bookies in Europe and the world. The company runs in more than 50 nations, consisting of Nigeria, where it is completely accredited.

Under Babalola’s management, 1XBET Nigeria has expanded its footprint in the competitive Nigerian sports betting wagering market, providing a wide variety of wagering alternatives and an user-friendly 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, Managing Director of KingMakers, sports betting and Chairman of Vend Capital. In addition to leading these endeavors, Ukanwoke has teamed up with African socio-economic institutions and federal governments to develop 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, founded and introduced in Nigeria on February 22, 2018, sports betting by Byron Petzer and Adekunle Adeniji, operates under the brand name of Lake Ventures Ltd. This pan-African sports betting and home entertainment company has rapidly 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, producing over 100,000 tasks, the number of which is increasing every year. In the same year, 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 creator, bulk shareholder, and joint Chief Executive of Bet365, an online gambling company she established in 2000. Bet365.com was launched in 2001 as an online sports betting website and has actually given that turned into one of the world’s largest online gaming business.

By 2016, sports betting Bet365 generated $2 billion in earnings and facilitated $45 billion in yearly bets. The business also holds a majority stake in Stoke City Football Club. Bet365 has garnered substantial 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 wagering business in Nigeria, established together with business owner Kunle Soname, who also owns Portuguese club CD Feirense and Nigerian club Remo Stars.

Ojuroye is likewise the Chairman of Mango Asset Management, sports betting an independent Nigerian property management business that generates investment returns and provides distinct financial investment insights and options 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, sports betting Bet9ja has become a significant player in the Nigerian sports betting wagering market.

Fikayo Ogunfuye – Country Director 22bet

Fikayo Ogunfuye is a skilled professional in the sports betting wagering market. He has actually been acting as the Country Director for sports betting 22BET in Nigeria since June 2021. In this role, sports betting he has actually contributed to the company’s development through partnerships, service technique, and brand-new business development.

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

His profession began at Jumia Group, where he worked in SEO, CRM, and content management. Fikayo also functioned as a Human Resource Officer at SIFAX Group.

He holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Management and sports betting 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 sports betting platform that provides sports betting wagering, gambling establishment video games, and live dealer video games. It was introduced in 2017 and is owned and run by Marikit Holdings Ltd, a company registered in Cyprus and a subsidiary of Orakum N.V.. They are likewise the owners of Betwinner and sports betting a chain of casinos worldwide.

Sudeep Ramnani– CEO Sportybet Group

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

SportyBet is a global sports betting wagering and real-money gaming operator sports betting known for delivering an omni-channel home entertainment experience in managed emerging markets. Under Ramnani’s management, SportyBet has ended up being a significant player in the industry, with over 1 million downloads on the Google Play Store.

In addition to his function at SportyBet, Sudeep is an active investor sports betting in fintech and mobile payments and a strong supporter for the growing African internet environment. His investments show his commitment to promoting development and advancement within the region.

On April 30, 2024, Sudeep Ramnani bought Chowdeck, sports betting taking part in a seed round valued at $2.5 million.

The firm is set to disrupt the sports betting market.

Sunbet Sporting International Limited has said it is concentrated on revolutionising how millions of Africans engage with sports betting. In a market worth over $1.5 billion yearly, with double-digit development projection in the coming years, according to reports from the African Sports Betting Association and PwC, the company intends to leverage cutting-edge innovation and a commitment to responsible gaming to revolutionise the sector.

Backed by the monetary power of four prominent African billionaires, Sunbet, which will release in the very first quarter of 2025, aims to be the continent’s largest and sports betting most innovative sports betting platform.

At a press briefing, the business’s representative, Akin Babatunde, said that the increase in Internet penetration, mobile usage, and the continent’s deep passion for sports betting, particularly football, has set the stage for Sunbet’s enthusiastic entry. He added that the firm’s robust financial backing and professional group will enable it to scale and control the market quickly.

Islamic cops raid betting stores in northern Nigeria

Islamic police in Nigeria’s northern city of Kano have begun shutting down sports betting stores, which they say are operating unlawfully.

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

Problems from neighborhood leaders and moms and dads prompted the crackdown, fretted about the growing variety of sports betting addicts, he stated.

On the first day of raids, 30 shops were closed in one residential area alone, and their owners were sent home with a caution, the Sharia officer said.

But Mr Aminudeen cautioned that now that the general public understood that the Hisbah was clamping down on sports betting, those flouting the rules would be apprehended.

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

Bookies and bars tend to be allowed to operate in Kano’s Christian neighbourhoods, though they too can face action if the Hisbah believes Muslims are frequenting them.

However, the present crackdown is concentrated on Muslim areas of Kano, a vast city and the economic hub of northern Nigeria.

sports betting wagering shops can be discovered all over the city. Many have tv screens, and clients view the outcome of global football matches or horse races on which they have staked money.

Mr Aminudeen stated such bookmakers had actually had the ability to operate under the radar as they had actually opened under false pretences.

“They do not have licences to operate as they were allowed to run video games centres, which they later on transformed to wagering shops,” he said.

The sports betting industry has expanded dramatically across West Africa in recent years. The region is roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and a predominantly Christian south.

Many people go to bookmakers to take pleasure in the camaraderie of other gamblers, though mobile apps are likewise popular for sports betting on the result of events and teams.

Nigeria’s debilitating recession has also indicated people want to risk a small amount in the hope of winning big.

However this had caused widespread addiction, and parents were even complaining that kids were dropping out of school to bet, Mr Aminudeen said.

“These financial problems we are facing in Nigeria is God telling us to alter our ways by stopping sins,” he said.

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

“I am advising those running those wagering shops to either shut down or we’ll apprehend them and take them to [a Sharia] court,” Mr Aminudeen stated.

It is uncertain what penalty they would face – often, such infringements carry a fine.

Sharia was introduced in Kano in 2000 – as it was in 11 other Muslim-majority northern states – and prostitution, gaming and the consumption of alcohol were prohibited.