Betting Wars: Hisbah Police Crackdown Escalate as Innovation Company Confronts Nigeria’s Gaming Giants

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

Gaming has actually developed considerably in Nigeria from traditional kinds like pool staking and Baba Ijebu to a thriving sports betting wagering market. Historically connected 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 web access came virtual wagering, which parallels international trends. The sports betting market is valued at $89.91 billion in 2023 and is forecasted to nearly double to $182.02 billion by 2030.

Despite economic difficulties such as inflation, Nigeria’s sports betting sector has actually prospered, drawing in millions, specifically among the younger group dealing with high joblessness rates.

Reports indicate that around 60 million Nigerians aged 18-40 actively take part in sports betting wagering, driving an industry that produces an approximated yearly revenue of N730 billion. The federal government has actually not gone unnoticed by this growth, which is considering regulative measures like excise responsibilities and VAT increases to handle the sector.

The National Lottery Act of 2005 recognized regulative bodies like the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to ensure fair operations despite obstacles in enforcement. Issues such as insufficient age confirmation and advertising guideline breaches reveal market regulatory gaps.

Despite these challenges, sports betting wagering business continue to grow through efficient organization models and aggressive marketing methods, leveraging the developer influencer market.

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

Constable Olaniyan – CEO Surebet247

Constable Olaniyan is the CEO of Surebet247, a sports betting book company he co-founded with Badmos Olasupo in 2011. His varied career covers different functions in the video gaming and entertainment industry, including operating at among the United Kingdom’s biggest gaming centres, 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, founded in August 2011, has actually turned into a leading e-commerce company in the sports betting and video gaming sector, running through online, mobile, and retail channels. The business was integrated in Nigeria on November 7, 2006, and has actually because broadened its existence, achieving over 5,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.

Sam Sadi – CEO Livescorebet

Sam Sadi has over 25 years of experience in wagering brand names and sports betting media. In 2019, he became the CEO of LiveScore Group, a fully integrated ecosystem that combines appropriate sports betting content, engaging features, and a first-rate sportsbook.

Given that taking the helm prior to the pandemic, Sam has actually driven considerable growth for LiveScore Group. The company’s worker headcount has actually increased by 29%, and sports betting annual income has actually surged from approximately ₤ 10 million to over ₤ 80 million.

Sam’s management and tactical vision have actually propelled LiveScore Group’s success and assisted shape the market’s instructions. LiveScoreBet has achieved 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 previously functioned as the business’s Marketing and Operations Director because 2015. He signed up with Betway in 2013 and has actually remained in the online video gaming market considering that 2000, holding different effective functions, including General Manager of an information analytics team and Director of a digital marketing company.

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

Damilare Alabi, Co-Founder, Managing Director NairaBET

Damilare Alabi has actually differentiated herself as a senior executive with a performance history of changing start-ups into institutionalized organizations. Her proficiency spans the video gaming, property, and credit financing industries, where he has actually established himself as a tactical and operational leader.

Damilare has been instrumental in NairaBET’s success for over 14 years. Since June 2019, she has actually functioned as Managing Director and has supervised the business’s development and sports betting 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 organization empowering women-owned businesses. DDWIN offers frHer educational background includes 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 company, developed business in 2009. While NairaBET was not the first sports betting platform in Nigeria, it was the very first to release a completely practical website, setting a criteria in the industry.

Femi Babalola- General Manager of 1Xbet Nigeria Limited

Femi Babalola is the Managing Director of 1XBET Nigeria Limited, sports betting 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 company runs in more than 50 nations, consisting of Nigeria, where it is completely certified.

Under Babalola’s leadership, 1XBET Nigeria has actually expanded 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 endeavors, Ukanwoke has actually worked together with African socio-economic institutions and governments to create developmental policies targeted at empowering youths. In 2015, sports betting 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, operates under the brand name of Lake Ventures Ltd. This pan-African sports betting and entertainment business has actually quickly grown its existence in Nigeria, with outlets in major cities and over 500,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.

In 2020, BetKing entered into a collaboration with the Lagos Employment Trust Fund, creating over 100,000 jobs, 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 released in 2001 as an online sports betting website and has actually given that become one of the world’s largest online sports betting companies.

By 2016, Bet365 created $2 billion in incomes and helped with $45 billion in yearly bets. The company likewise holds a bulk stake in Stoke City Football Club. Bet365 has gathered considerable user engagement, with over 1 million downloads on the Google Play Store.

Ayo Ojuroye – CEO/Cofounder Bet9ja

Ayo Ojuroye is the CEO and sports betting co-founder of Bet9ja, a leading sports betting business in Nigeria, established along with business owner 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 asset management business that creates financial investment returns and provides special financial investment insights and options to both private and institutional customers.

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

Fikayo Ogunfuye – Country Director 22bet

Fikayo Ogunfuye is an experienced expert in the sports betting wagering market. He has been acting as the Country Director for 22BET in Nigeria given that June 2021. In this function, he has actually contributed to the business’s growth through collaborations, organization technique, and new business advancement.

Fikayo’s experience includes functions such as Chief Operations Officer (West Africa) at 22BET, where he handled product development and customer experience, and sports betting Country Manager at 22BET, focusing on marketing method 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 profession began at Jumia Group, where he worked in SEO, CRM, and content management. Fikayo likewise 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, casino video games, and live dealership games. It was released in 2017 and is owned and operated by Marikit Holdings Ltd, a company signed up in Cyprus and a subsidiary of Orakum N.V.. They are likewise the owners of Betwinner and a chain of gambling establishments worldwide.

Sudeep Ramnani– CEO Sportybet Group

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

SportyBet is an international sports betting and sports betting real-money video gaming operator understood for sports betting delivering an omni-channel entertainment experience in controlled emerging markets. Under Ramnani’s leadership, SportyBet has become a substantial gamer in the industry, 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 supporter for the growing African web ecosystem. His investments reflect his dedication to fostering innovation and development within the area.

On April 30, 2024, Sudeep Ramnani invested in 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 concentrated on revolutionising how millions of Africans engage with sports betting. In a market worth over $1.5 billion annual, sports betting 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 dedication to accountable sports betting to revolutionise the sector.

Backed by the monetary power of 4 popular African billionaires, Sunbet, sports betting which will introduce in the very first quarter of 2025, intends to be the continent’s biggest and most innovative sports betting wagering platform.

At a press rundown, sports betting the company’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 included that the firm’s robust financial backing and specialist team will allow it to scale and dominate the market quickly.

Islamic cops raid betting shops in northern Nigeria

Islamic police in Nigeria’s northern city of Kano have started shutting down sports betting wagering shops, which they state are operating illegally.

“As you understand, wagering is prohibited in Islam,” Mujahid Aminudeen, deputy chief of the Sharia police, called the Hisbah, sports betting informed the BBC.

Complaints from community leaders and moms and dads prompted the crackdown, stressed over the growing number of gambling addicts, sports betting he stated.

On the very first day of raids, sports betting 30 shops were closed in one residential area alone, and their owners were sent out home with a warning, the Sharia officer stated.

However Mr Aminudeen cautioned that now that the general public was aware that the Hisbah was clamping down on gaming, those flouting the guidelines would be detained.

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

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

Nevertheless, the current crackdown is focused on Muslim locations of Kano, a sprawling city and the financial center of northern Nigeria.

Sports betting shops can be discovered all over the city. A lot of have tv screens, and clients see the result of worldwide football matches or horse races on which they have actually staked money.

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

“They don’t have licences to operate as they were allowed to run video games centres, which they later converted to wagering shops,” he stated.

The sports betting industry has expanded significantly across West Africa recently. The region is roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and a mainly Christian south.

Many individuals go to bookies to take pleasure in the sociability of other bettors, though mobile apps are also popular for sports betting on the outcome of events and teams.

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

However this had actually caused extensive addiction, and sports betting moms and dads were even complaining that kids were dropping out of school to bet, Mr Aminudeen said.

“These financial issues we are facing in Nigeria is God informing us to change our methods by stopping sins,” he said.

The raids on Tuesday concentrated on Munjibir, sports betting 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 arrest them and take them to [a Sharia] court,” Mr Aminudeen said.

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

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