Betting Wars: Islamic Police Crackdown Intensify As Innovation Startup Challenges Nigeria s Gaming Giants

bit.lyMeet CEOs/MDs of companies behind Nigeria's $2 billion Sports wagering market.


Gambling has actually evolved significantly in Nigeria from conventional forms like pool staking and Baba Ijebu to a growing sports betting industry. Historically connected to European football leagues, swimming pool staking was a common sight at motor parks and sports betting kiosks, sports betting where lovers would bet as little as N50-N200 on matches.


Gradually, with increased web access came virtual sports betting, which parallels international 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.


In spite of financial challenges such as inflation, sports betting Nigeria's sports betting sector has grown, attracting millions, sports betting especially among the youthful group facing high unemployment rates.


Reports indicate that around 60 million Nigerians aged 18-40 actively engage in sports betting, driving a market that generates a projected annual revenue of N730 billion. The federal government has actually not gone undetected by this development, sports betting which is thinking about regulatory steps like excise responsibilities and VAT boosts to handle the sector.


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


In spite of these difficulties, sports betting wagering business continue to prosper through efficient organization designs and aggressive marketing methods, leveraging the creator influencer industry.


These efforts have actually added to Nigeria's robust $2 billion gambling sector, with CEOs playing crucial functions in broadening audience reach and driving industry growth. Here are the CEOs of leading sports betting companies who have substantially contributed to Nigeria's $2 billion gambling empire through their substantial audience reach.


Sheriff Olaniyan - CEO Surebet247

Sheriff Olaniyan is the CEO of Surebet247, a sports betting book business he co-founded with Badmos Olasupo in 2011. His varied career spans various functions in the video gaming and entertainment industry, consisting of working at one of the United Kingdom's biggest video gaming centres, The Palace Bingo Club, where he worked 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, founded in August 2011, has actually become a leading e-commerce company in the wagering and gaming sector, running through online, mobile, and retail channels. The company was incorporated in Nigeria on November 7, sports betting 2006, and has actually considering that expanded 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 brands and sports betting media. In 2019, he became the CEO of LiveScore Group, sports betting a totally incorporated ecosystem that combines pertinent sports betting content, engaging functions, and a first-rate sportsbook.


Considering that taking the helm right before the pandemic, Sam has actually driven significant growth for LiveScore Group. The company's worker headcount has actually increased by 29%, and yearly income has risen from roughly ₤ 10 million to over ₤ 80 million.


Sam's management and tactical vision have actually moved LiveScore Group's success and assisted shape the market's direction. LiveScoreBet has actually 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 formerly served as the company's Marketing and Operations Director given that 2015. He joined Betway in 2013 and has remained in the online gaming market given that 2000, holding different effective functions, including General Manager of an information analytics group and Director of a digital marketing firm.


Under Werkman's leadership, Betway has continued to grow its market existence and enhance its offerings. The company's app has garnered significant 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 performance history of transforming start-ups into institutionalized services. Her knowledge covers the gaming, property, and credit lending industries, sports betting where he has developed himself as a strategic and functional leader.


Damilare has actually contributed in NairaBET's success for over 14 years. Given that June 2019, she has served as Managing Director and has managed the company'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 methods and market expansion.


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


Akin Alabi, the founder of NairaBET.com, Nigeria's pioneering sports betting bookmaking company, developed the in 2009. While NairaBET was not the very first sports betting platform in Nigeria, it was the first to release a totally functional site, setting a benchmark in the market.

Femi Babalola- General Manager of 1Xbet Nigeria Limited

Femi Babalola is the Managing Director sports betting of 1XBET Nigeria Limited, a franchise of the worldwide sports betting wagering business based in Cyprus. 1XBET, founded in 2007 by the late Sergey Karshkov, has actually developed itself as one of the biggest bookmakers in Europe and the world. The business operates in more than 50 countries, consisting of Nigeria, where it is completely certified.


Under Babalola's management, 1XBET Nigeria has broadened its footprint in the competitive Nigerian sports betting wagering market, offering a vast array of wagering choices and an user-friendly platform. The 1XBET app has over 500,000 downloads on the Play Store.

Gossy Ukanwoke - CEO of Betking Nigeria

Gossy Ukanwoke is the CEO of BetKing, Managing Director of KingMakers, and Chairman of Vend Capital. In addition to leading these ventures, Ukanwoke has collaborated with African socio-economic organizations and federal governments to develop developmental policies focused on empowering young people. In 2015, Ernst & & Young honoured him as the Winner of the Accelerating Category-- World Entrepreneur of the Year.


BetKing, established and launched in Nigeria on February 22, 2018, by Byron Petzer and Adekunle Adeniji, runs under the brand sports betting name of Lake Ventures Ltd. This pan-African sports betting wagering and sports betting 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, developing over 100,000 jobs, the number of which is increasing annually. In the very 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, majority shareholder, and joint Chief Executive of Bet365, an online gambling business she established in 2000. Bet365.com was released in 2001 as an online sports betting website and has considering that grown into among the world's largest online gambling business.


By 2016, Bet365 produced $2 billion in earnings and sports betting facilitated $45 billion in yearly bets. The company likewise holds a majority stake in Stoke City Football Club. Bet365 has actually gathered significant 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 business in Nigeria, established together with entrepreneur Kunle Soname, who also owns Portuguese club CD Feirense and Nigerian club Remo Stars.


Ojuroye is also the Chairman of Mango Asset Management, sports betting an independent Nigerian property management company that generates investment returns and uses distinct financial investment insights and solutions to both individual and institutional customers.


Founded in 2012 under KC Gaming Networks, Bet9ja has rapidly grown in appeal, sports betting with over 1 million downloads on the Google Play Store. Under Ojuroye's management, Bet9ja has ended up being a significant player in the Nigerian sports betting wagering industry.

Fikayo Ogunfuye - Country Director 22bet

Fikayo Ogunfuye is a seasoned specialist in the sports betting wagering market. He has actually been working as the Country Director sports betting for 22BET in Nigeria considering that June 2021. In this role, sports betting he has actually added to the business's development through partnerships, sports betting company strategy, and new company development.


Fikayo's experience includes roles such as Chief Operations Officer (West Africa) at 22BET, where he managed item advancement and customer experience, and Country Manager at 22BET, sports betting focusing on marketing method and spending plan management. Before 22BET, he led marketing efforts at LuckyBet.NG and held different digital marketing roles at Laclic Services and Betty Bingo.


His career began at Jumia Group, where he operated in SEO, CRM, and content management. Fikayo also 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, sports betting Benin Republic.


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

Sudeep Ramnani-- CEO Sportybet Group

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


SportyBet is an international sports betting and real-money gaming operator understood for providing an omni-channel entertainment experience in regulated emerging markets. Under Ramnani's leadership, SportyBet has actually become a substantial gamer in the industry, with over 1 million downloads on the Google Play Store.


In addition to his role 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 show his commitment to fostering development and development within the area.


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

The company is set to interfere with the sports betting market.


Sunbet Sporting International Limited has stated it is focused on revolutionising how millions of Africans engage with sports betting. In an industry worth over $1.5 billion yearly, sports betting with double-digit growth projection in the coming years, according to reports from the African Sports Betting Association and PwC, the company aims to take advantage of innovative technology and a dedication to responsible gambling to change the sector.


Backed by the financial power of 4 prominent African billionaires, Sunbet, which will introduce in the very first quarter of 2025, aims to be the continent's biggest and most innovative sports betting platform.


At a press instruction, the business's spokesperson, Akin Babatunde, stated that the rise 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 company's robust financial backing and professional group will allow it to scale and control the market quickly.




Islamic police raid betting shops in northern Nigeria


Islamic authorities in Nigeria's northern city of Kano have started closing down sports betting stores, which they state are operating illegally.


"As you understand, sports betting is forbidden in Islam," Mujahid Aminudeen, deputy chief of the Sharia police force, called the Hisbah, informed the BBC.


Complaints from neighborhood leaders and moms and dads triggered the crackdown, sports betting fretted about the growing number of sports betting addicts, he said.


On the first day of raids, 30 stores were closed in one suburb alone, and their owners were sent home with a caution, the Sharia officer stated.


However Mr Aminudeen warned that now that the public knew that the Hisbah was clamping down on gambling, those flouting the guidelines would be detained.


Kano city is the capital of Kano state, which has a bulk Muslim population and runs the Islamic legal system - Sharia - alongside nonreligious law.


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


Nevertheless, sports betting the existing crackdown is concentrated on Muslim areas of Kano, a vast city and the financial center of northern Nigeria.


sports betting wagering shops can be discovered all over the city. The majority of have television screens, and customers see the result of international football matches or horse races on which they have staked cash.


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


"They don't have licences to operate as they were allowed to run computer game centres, which they later transformed to wagering shops," he said.


The sports betting wagering market has actually expanded drastically across West Africa recently. The region is approximately divided in between a mainly Muslim north and a predominantly Christian south.


Many individuals go to bookmakers to take pleasure in the sociability of other gamblers, though mobile apps are likewise popular for wagering on the result of events and groups.


Nigeria's crippling economic crisis has likewise indicated individuals want to run the risk of a small amount in the hope of winning huge.


But this had actually led to widespread dependency, and sports betting parents were even complaining that children were dropping out of school to bet, Mr Aminudeen said.


"These financial problems we are facing in Nigeria is God informing us to alter our ways by stopping sins," he stated.


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


"I am encouraging those running those sports betting stores to either shut down or we'll detain them and take them to [a Sharia] court," Mr Aminudeen said.
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It is unclear what punishment they would face - typically, such infringements bring a fine.


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